Iran Rejects Negotiation on Ballistic Missile Program and JCPOA

In response to U.S. President Trump's insistence on amending the nuclear deal and halting Iran's missile program, Iranian officials stated that Tehran will not negotiate on either the JCPOA or its missile program. According to IRNA news agency, Ali Akbar Velayati, a member of the Expediency Discernment Council and advisor to the Supreme Leader of Iran, said on Wednesday, January 17, that 'the claims made by the U.S. President are absolutely unacceptable to the Islamic Republic of Iran. One of their claims and unjust demands is that we should not have a missile defense, which is an overreach, and Mr. Trump has overstepped his bounds by making such conditions.' He noted that the U.S. request included access to Iran's military sites, but 'neither they nor anyone else will be allowed to visit these military sites, which are indeed our sensitive defense centers.' Velayati further stated that the JCPOA is not negotiable, amendable, or subject to reduction of its terms and must be implemented as agreed upon by both parties. The U.S. overreach has no effect on the Islamic Republic's resistance regarding the JCPOA and Iran's demands. President Trump has set a 120-day deadline for the U.S. Congress and the European Union to review the JCPOA and amend what he calls 'flaws' in the nuclear agreement. On January 12, he announced that he would extend the suspension of sanctions against Iran for the last time under the nuclear deal. The European Union has stated that it is 'carefully reviewing' Trump's remarks, but contrary to Washington's demands, it emphasizes that issues like Iran's missile program should be discussed separately from the nuclear agreement. However, EU officials have indicated that in a recent meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, they challenged him on various issues including tensions in the Middle East, Iran's missile program, and recent protests in Iran. Nonetheless, IRIB reported on January 17, citing Bahram Qasemi, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, that discussions between the EU and Zarif regarding the Islamic Republic's missile program were denied. Qasemi stated, 'The policy and position of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the country's missile defense program is completely clear and well-known to other countries.' He added, 'The position of the Islamic Republic of Iran has not changed regardless of the propaganda, threats, positions, and views of the United States and others, and as has been repeatedly stated, Iran's missile program is purely defensive and deterrent and is not directed against any country, and baseless claims will not change this fundamental position of the country.' The spokesperson emphasized that 'the Islamic Republic of Iran will not allow any country to interfere in its internal affairs and defense policies, especially its missile program.' Meanwhile, the European Union has stated that although Iran's missile program is not related to the nuclear agreement, it must be resolved.