TEHRAN/WASHINGTON: Iran’s missile programme is a “red line” and will not be subject to negotiations, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday, as Tehran and Washington prepare for a possible new round of talks aimed at preventing escalation.
Ali Shamkhani, speaking during a rally marking the 47th anniversary of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, said the country’s missile capabilities were non-negotiable. “The Islamic Republic’s missile capabilities are non-negotiable,” state media quoted him as saying.
His remarks came days after US and Iranian officials held indirect talks in Oman amid heightened tensions and a reported US naval buildup in the region.
Washington has long sought to broaden discussions with Tehran beyond its nuclear programme to include curbs on its ballistic missile arsenal. Iran, however, has maintained that while it is open to negotiating limits on its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, it will not link the issue to its missile programme or other defence matters.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday. Netanyahu is expected to urge Washington to ensure that any future agreement with Tehran includes restrictions on Iran’s missile capabilities and addresses broader regional security concerns.
The meeting marks Netanyahu’s seventh visit to Washington since Trump returned to office nearly 13 months ago. Israeli officials have expressed concern that the United States could pursue a limited nuclear deal that excludes missile curbs.
Before departing for Washington, Netanyahu said he would present Israel’s position regarding the principles that should guide negotiations with Iran. Sources indicated that the possibility of military action could also be discussed if diplomatic efforts fail.
President Trump has repeatedly warned that failure to reach an agreement could result in strikes against Iran, while Tehran has vowed to respond to any attack, raising fears of wider conflict in the region. In recent media interviews, Trump said that while he believed Iran was seeking a deal, he would take “something very tough” measures if negotiations collapsed.
He also stated that a satisfactory agreement would mean “no nuclear weapons, no missiles,” without providing further details. US media reports said Washington is considering deploying a second aircraft carrier strike group to the region as part of an expanded military presence.