During an April 1 speech at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, US President Barack Obama said that Iran, by testing ballistic missiles, was undermining the “spirit” of the nuclear agreement between Iran and the six world powers. The comments have struck a nerve in Iran, particularly among critics of President Hassan Rouhani who believe that the nuclear deal has had little impact on the country's economy.

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Hassan Firouzabadi, who has in previous statements supported the nuclear deal, rejected Obama’s idea that there is a “spirit” to the nuclear agreement. In an April 5 meeting with other officials of the armed forces, Firouzabadi said, “When we reviewed the details of the Barjam we saw nothing but text, and we have no information on the spirit of the Barjam.” "Barjam" is the Persian acronym for the Joint Comprehensive Plant of Action (JCPOA).

Firouzabadi added that he had even asked Iran’s nuclear negotiators if the agreement included anything other than the text, and they assured him that it did not. “The expectations and excessive demands of America are unnecessary and unacceptable, and the Islamic Republic of Iran gives no value to them,” Firouzabadi said.

Obama’s comments on Iran’s missile program also received a response from the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Mohammad Ali Jafari. In an April 5 address to IRGC commanders, Jafari said that they are rooted in America’s “fear of IRGC’s missiles,” adding that Iran’s enemies “must remain in this fear.”