Iran says its missile capabilities ‘nonnegotiable,’ as Israel presses for US talks to include issue

Iran’s missile capabilities are its red line and are not a subject to be negotiated, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader says as Tehran and Washington eye a new round of talks to avert conflict.

US and Iranian diplomats held indirect talks last week in Oman, amid a regional naval buildup by the US threatening Iran.

“The Islamic Republic’s missile capabilities are nonnegotiable,” Ali Shamkhani says, according to state media, while appearing in a march commemorating the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.

Washington has long sought to extend talks on Iran’s nuclear capabilities to cover its missile program as well. Iran has said it is prepared to discuss curbs on its nuclear program in return for the lifting of sanctions, but has repeatedly ruled out linking the issue to other questions, including missiles.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to use a meeting with Trump in Washington today to push for any US-Iran deal to include limitations on Tehran’s missiles.

On Sunday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran’s missile program had never been part of the talks’ agenda.