Iran has declared its missile capabilities a red line and said they will not be part of any negotiations, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday. Ali Shamkhani made the statement during a march marking the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. The remarks come as Washington and Tehran prepare for a new round of diplomacy to prevent conflict.
The US has sought to expand nuclear talks to include restrictions on Iran’s missile program amid a regional naval buildup. Shamkhani emphasized that while Iran is willing to discuss curbs on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, its missile capabilities are non-negotiable.
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Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet President Trump in Washington on Wednesday, aiming to ensure any deal with Iran addresses missile limitations. Tehran has consistently resisted linking its missile program to nuclear negotiations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reiterated on Sunday that the missile program has never been part of the diplomatic agenda, signaling firm resistance to US and Israeli demands. Analysts say the stance could complicate efforts to reach a broader regional security agreement.
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The ongoing tensions follow indirect talks in Oman last week, with both sides seeking to avoid escalation amid rising military deployments in the Gulf. Observers warn that failure to resolve nuclear and missile disputes could heighten the risk of a regional confrontation.