Iran president Rouhani vows to strengthen missiles after Trump speech

Donald Trump’s criticism of Iran in his speech at the UN this week has only served to strengthen the country’s determination to increase its missile capability, president Hassan Rouhani has said.

Trump used part of his landmark first speech at the body’s general assembly to berate a 2015 nuclear deal agreed with Iran, referring to it as an 'embarrassment' to the US.

He also spoke about the growing nuclear threat of Tehran despite the terms of the agreement.

However, Rouhani said on Friday that it would continue to strengthen its capabilities with the goal of deterring potential attacks.

"Whether you like it or not, we are going to strengthen our military capabilities which are necessary for deterrence," Rouhani said in a speech.

"All countries in the world supported the nuclear deal in the United Nations General Assembly this year [...] except the United States and the Zionist regime (Israel)."

Trump’s comments raised concerns in some corners that the US might go back on its agreement with Iran.

The US President also accused the country of contributing to instability in Yemen and Syria, something which his Iranian counterpart denied.

The agreement reached during the Obama era was hailed a historic step for diplomatic relations between the two countries, as Iran promised to limit its nuclear power in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.