Iran pledges to continue missile programme

Iran’s supreme leader has criticised new US sanctions on Tehran signed by President Donald Trump and vowed his country would continue its missile programme despite international pressure.

Washington will “use any excuse to make a fuss” against Iran, said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaking at a ceremony marking the formal endorsement of President Hassan Rouhani for his second term in office.

“You launch a satellitecarrying missile, they make noise,” he said, describing the Iranian launch as a “scientific and technical job that is routine and necessary”.

Mr Khamenei added: “The response to the hostility is to become stronger,” as he described the US government as “the top aggressor and the most shameless” enemy of Iran.