As deal takes force, Trump says ‘it’s okay’ for Iran to have some ballistic missiles

U.S. President Donald Trump asserted on Wednesday that Iran should be allowed to retain some ballistic missiles, defending a recently signed memorandum of understanding between his administration and Tehran. Speaking in France on the sidelines of a G7 summit, Trump suggested that if other countries possess such capabilities, it would be unfair for Iran to be entirely without them.

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If other countries have them, it's a little bit unfair for them not to have some.

"If other countries have them, it's a little bit unfair for them not to have some," Trump said. He further elaborated that missiles, while capable of causing localized damage, do not pose the same existential threat as nuclear weapons. "Missiles aren't the problem… They hurt a little location, but they don't blow up the planet (like nuclear weapons do)," he stated. This stance appeared to de-prioritize the destruction of Iran's missile program, which had been a significant objective for Israel in its conflict with the Islamic Republic.

The administration's focus had previously been on preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, with the missile program seen as a potential shield. However, Trump clarified that the missile issue would be a subject for follow-on talks scheduled to occur within the next 60 days. Shortly after Trump's press conference, Iran's foreign ministry announced the official signing of the MOU by the presidents of both countries, a confirmation Trump provided following a dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron.

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Missiles aren't the problem… They hurt a little location, but they don't blow up the planet (like nuclear weapons do).

A U.S. official clarified that Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed the MOU after it was digitally finalized on Sunday by Vice President JD Vance and Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, with Trump's witnessing. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated, "The text of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was finalized with the signatures of the presidents, now it is time to test the implementation of the agreement." Despite these developments, the U.S. has not officially released the MOU's text, leading to criticism that the terms are being concealed. A phone briefing for reporters by top Trump administration officials did read out the full MOU, confirming it does not require Iran to surrender its stockpiles of highly-enriched uranium.

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The text of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was finalized with the signatures of the presidents, now it is time to test the implementation of the agreement.