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Iran says its missile programme is independent

TOKYO, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Iran's missile programme is purely defensive and was developed independent of foreign powers, including North Korea, Iranian Foreign Affairs minister Kamal Kharrazi told his Japanese counterpart, Yohei Kono, on Tuesday.

U.S. intelligence officials have repeatedly said they believe that Iran, which in September conducted its second test-firing of a medium range Shahab-3 missile in two months, poses a security threat to the United States.

They say they believe Iran receives much of the help for its weapons development programme, which Washington terms "very active", from Russia, North Korea and China.

Told by Kono that Japan is worried about reported similarities between the Shahab missile and North Korean weapons, Kharrazi was quoted by a Foreign Ministry official as saying he understood this concern.

"You must understand, however, that all around Iran are countries with atomic weapons or countries with missiles," Kharazzi was quoted as saying. "The missiles that Iran possesses are purely for self-defence.

"We developed our missiles ourselves, with absolutely no connection to any other country. The Shahab was also developed domestically," he said. "North Korean missiles are not necessary."

Kharazzi is in Tokyo with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, who arrived on Tuesday for a four-day visit to lure direct investment to his country, while Tokyo hopes to use the opportunity solidify its access to oil imports.

Washington, though, is concerned about what it sees as Tehran's continued support of extremist activities as well as its weapons development programme, and analysts say this could force Japan to tread carefully in pursuing ties with Iran.

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