Iran’s foreign minister on Monday defended its ballistic missile program and urged European countries not to be influenced by US President Donald Trump’s policy towards Tehran. Zarif also called on European powers to help preserve the landmark 2015 deal under which Iran curbed its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of a number of international sanctions. “Europe should not pander to Washington’s determination to shift focus to yet another unnecessary crisis – whether it be Iran’s defensive missile program or our influence in the Middle East,” Zarif wrote In an op-ed article in the New York Times. Last month, French President Emmanuel Macron said he was “very concerned” by the missile program and called for talks about it. Iranian officials rejected the appeal, Reuters said.