Ghasemi Denies Reuters Report: Iran's Missile Program is Non-Negotiable

Following the publication of a Reuters report regarding Iran's willingness to negotiate aspects of its missile program, Bahram Ghasemi, the spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, denied this report on Friday, October 6, stating that Iran's missile program is defensive and non-negotiable. According to Mehr News Agency, the spokesman emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly stated in public positions and diplomatic meetings with foreign officials, including interviews and meetings conducted by the Foreign Minister during his recent trip to New York, that its defensive programs are non-negotiable and do not contradict Resolution 2231. Reuters reported on Friday, citing unidentified Iranian and Western diplomatic sources, that Iran is prepared to negotiate on 'aspects' of its missile program to reduce tensions over the matter. An informed Iranian source, who requested anonymity, told Reuters that Iran had indicated to global powers during the recent UN General Assembly in New York that it is ready to negotiate to alleviate concerns regarding its missile program. Western and American officials have not confirmed this issue being raised during the meeting between Mohammad Javad Zarif and Rex Tillerson. However, two American officials stated that Iran might have raised this topic through media or a third party like Oman. Iran's missile program is one of the issues that the U.S. cites to accuse Iran of destabilizing the region, claiming that UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which supports the nuclear agreement with Iran, prohibits the testing of missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Iran asserts that 'the tested missiles are not designed to carry nuclear warheads' and therefore its missile tests do not contradict the nuclear agreement. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, the U.S. President, is expected to announce Washington's comprehensive strategy regarding Iran soon. In this context, Nikki Haley, the U.S. representative to the UN, previously rejected Iranian officials' statements regarding the defensive nature of the country's missile program, describing Iran's missile tests as 'unacceptable.' The U.S. has unilaterally imposed sanctions on individuals and entities related to Iran's missile program. UN Security Council Resolution 2231, issued after the Vienna nuclear agreement to endorse it, calls on Iran to refrain from developing ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads and also prohibits the export and transfer of various weapons. In this regard, Germany has urged the U.S. to consider a dialogue approach with Iran. Trump delegated the authority to enforce the Iran and Russia sanctions law to Tillerson. The Israeli Defense Minister condemned Iran's 'provocative' missile test. Haley stated that leaving the JCPOA does not undermine U.S. credibility. The French President proposed mediation and negotiation with Iran. Reuters reported that a proposal for stricter policies regarding Iran has been presented to Trump.