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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Iran Rules Out Missile Program Talks with U.S. Amid Peace Deal Framework

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Iran has stated its missile program will not be a subject of future negotiations with the United States.
  • This declaration follows an agreement between the U.S. and Iran to end a regional war and establish a framework for nuclear program talks.
  • Iran's foreign ministry emphasized that its defense capabilities are non-negotiable and solely for defensive purposes.

Iran has firmly declared that its missile program will not be included in any future negotiations with the United States, despite a recent agreement to end a regional war and discuss Iran's nuclear activities. The assertion comes from Iran's foreign ministry, underscoring the nation's stance on its defense capabilities.

Our missiles do not like at all to be talked about by anyone.

— Esmaeil BaqaeiIranian foreign ministry spokesman, speaking about the missile program.

This development follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed between U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, which aims to conclude a regional conflict that began on February 28 with U.S.-Israeli strikes. The agreement paves the way for detailed discussions on Iran's nuclear program and the potential lifting of sanctions against Tehran. Notably, the deal makes no mention of Iran's missile program, a long-standing point of contention for Washington and its ally, Israel.

"Our missiles do not like at all to be talked about by anyone," stated foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in an interview with Iranian state television. He elaborated, "Iranian missiles are only for firing, not for negotiations. Iran’s defense capability will not be discussed in any way, in any process or with any party."

Iranian missiles are only for firing, not for negotiations. Iran’s defense capability will not be discussed in any way, in any process or with any party.

— Esmaeil BaqaeiIranian foreign ministry spokesman, emphasizing Iran's position on its missile program.

During the nearly 40-day conflict, Iran's missile infrastructure faced significant bombardment from U.S. and Israeli forces. However, Tehran continued to retaliate with missile and drone attacks across the region. Prior to the war, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had insisted that Iran must negotiate over its ballistic missile arsenal, which the U.S. views as a threat to Israel and regional U.S. military bases. Iran has consistently refused to discuss what it terms its defensive capabilities. President Trump had previously suggested a softening stance, calling it "unfair" for Iran not to possess missiles if other countries do, differentiating ballistic missiles from nuclear weapons.

It would be unfair for them not to have some [missiles] if other countries have them.

— Donald TrumpU.S. President, commenting on Iran's missile capabilities.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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