TEHRAN - Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani has said that the U.S. cannot take “fraud” actions, noting that Iran will respond to any “improper” action by the U.S.

Larijani also said that sanctions against Iran will be removed in next weeks.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that the U.S. is preparing for imposing new sanctions on Iran for its ballistic missile program.

President Hassan Rouhani ordered his Defense Miniter Hossein Dehqan to speed up the country’s missile program if Washington imposes sanctions on Iran.

“If the U.S. continues its illegitimate interference with Iran’s right to defend itself, a new program will be devised to enhance missile capabilities,” Rouhani said. “We have never negotiated regarding our defense capabilities including our missile program and will not accept any restrictions in this regard.”

On Thursday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the White House has delayed its plan to impose new financial sanctions on Iran for its ballistic missile program, according to U.S. officials

--- ‘U.S. to be isolated if JCPOA is violated’

Larijani also said that the U.S. will definitely be “isolated” if the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is violated.

Iran enjoys nuclear knowledge which cannot be wiped out through commotions, the top lawmaker added upon his arrival at the southern city of Bushehr on Saturday.

Iran and the 5+1 group - the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia plus Germany - finalized the text of the JCPOA in Vienna on July 14.

NA/P