EU envoys summoned to Iranian Foreign Ministry

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said it has summoned European Union ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions over what it called "meddlesome" anti-Tehran claims in a recent joint statement by the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The statement, released after the 29th GCC-EU Joint Ministerial Meeting in Kuwait, raised concerns about its nuclear programs as well as its proliferation of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Iran's deputy foreign Minister for political affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi conveyed Tehran's strong protest during the summons that took place on October 7.

Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran's "indisputable sovereignty" over the three Gulf islands, and condemned the EU's "political and biased position" on the issue.

He also rejected the EU's "unreal and exaggerated narratives" about Iran's defense capabilities, condemning the bloc's "conspicuous interference" in Iran's internal affairs.

Iran's missile program, along with other homegrown defense capabilities, "is part of the country's inherent right to defend itself and guarantees regional stability and security," Ravanchi said.