Iranian authorities say the country will continue its defensive missile program.

Iran's newly-appointed Defense Minister, Amir Hatami, reportedly made the remarks on the sidelines of the first cabinet meeting of the new administration.

He also said that Iran's defense program will not be affected by any kind of pressure.

U.S. officials have said Iran's ballistic missile programs were threats to U.S. interests around the world.

A deal signed in 2015 saw the lifting of most international sanctions on Iran, in return for curbs on Tehran's nuclear program.

However, the deal is under mounting pressure after Tehran carried out a number of ballistic missile tests.

This has prompted Washington to impose new sanctions on Iran, which has called the missile tests an "inalienable right" of the country to boost deterrent power.