Iran has firmly stated that its missile program is a red line and will not be part of any negotiations, an adviser to the Supreme Leader said. The remarks came during a march marking the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
Ali Shamkhani, an advisor to Iran’s supreme leader, told state media: “The Islamic Republic's missile capabilities are non-negotiable.” The announcement coincides with a renewed round of US-Iran diplomacy aimed at preventing conflict in the region.
Last week, US and Iranian diplomats held indirect talks in Oman, while the US has increased its naval presence in the area, raising tensions with Tehran. Washington has long sought to include Iran’s missile program in any nuclear agreement.
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Iran, however, has consistently stated it is willing to discuss restrictions on its nuclear program in return for sanctions relief but refuses to link nuclear talks with other issues, including missiles.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet President Trump at the White House to push for any deal to include limits on Tehran’s missile arsenal. This will be Netanyahu’s seventh meeting with Trump since the US president returned to office nearly 13 months ago.
Trump has warned that he may take “very tough” action if Iran refuses a deal. In media interviews, he stated a successful deal would mean “no nuclear weapons, no missiles,” while also considering sending a second aircraft carrier strike group near Iran.
Israel is concerned that a US-Iran deal might focus only on nuclear restrictions and ignore Iran’s ballistic missiles. Netanyahu told reporters he would present Israel’s position to Trump, and the leaders may also discuss potential military options if diplomacy fails.
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The situation has heightened fears of a wider conflict, with both Washington and Tehran signaling readiness to act if negotiations collapse.