Iran Draws A Line In The Sand: 'Our Missiles Are Off The Table. Period.'
Iran has just laid down its most defining red line yet. Its ballistic missile program is untouchable, its foreign minister says, no matter what's on the table. As indirect talks with the US resume and tensions threaten to boil over, the stakes have never been higher.
An Iranian diplomatic source informed Reuters that Iran's defensive capabilities, particularly its ballistic missile program, are not subject to any negotiations.
This stance comes as indirect talks between Iran and the United States are set to resume in Turkey, amid heightened regional tensions and U.S. demands for curbs on Tehran's missile arsenal. The source emphasized that while Tehran is open to dialogue, it remains "neither optimistic nor pessimistic" about the prospects, insisting on readiness for any scenario.
Iranian officials have repeatedly framed the ballistic missiles as essential to national defense, rejecting U.S. preconditions that include limiting the program alongside halting uranium enrichment and reducing support for regional proxies.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi echoed this position, stating unequivocally that Iran's missiles "will never be the subject of any negotiations" and that the country will continue to expand its defensive capabilities as needed.
This aligns with Iran's asymmetric warfare doctrine, relying on missiles, drones, and other assets to deter superior adversaries. The comments follow reports of U.S. President Trump's interest in a broader deal, potentially involving strikes if talks fail, though diplomatic channels remain active.
Regional players like Qatar and Turkey are facilitating discussions, with some Gulf states urging restraint to avoid escalation.