U.S. Pushes to Include Iranian Missiles in New Nuclear Deal

• US wants Iranian missiles in the new nuclear deal.
• Iran insists they’re off the table.
• Talks mediated by Oman continue.

The U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has expressed Washington’s intent to include Iran’s ballistic missile program in ongoing negotiations for a new nuclear agreement with the Islamic Republic.

In an interview with Fox News, Witkoff made clear that the U.S. goal is to limit Iran’s nuclear activities to peaceful, civilian purposes, emphasizing that Tehran has no need to enrich uranium beyond 3.67%.

He also stated that «we need weapons verification, which includes the missiles and the types of missiles they have stored.»

“We’re here to see if this can be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue.»

Positive Meeting Between US and Iran, But Missiles Remain a Sticking Point

«The first meeting was positive, constructive, and compelling,” said Witkoff, referring to initial talks with Iran held this past Saturday, with mediation by diplomats from Oman.

Tehran, however, has repeatedly asserted that its missile program is a separate issue and not up for negotiation.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, through Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini, reaffirmed that the country’s defense capabilities are a red line.

He made this statement during a ceremony commemorating the April 13, 2024 attack in which Iran launched 300 missiles and drones at Israel—an attack that, while massive in scale, caused minimal damage.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, described the initial steps of the nuclear discussions with the U.S. as “positive.”

It’s worth recalling that during his first term (2017–2021), Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear deal signed with Iran and world powers. That agreement had tightly restricted Tehran’s nuclear activity in exchange for sanctions relief.

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: Trump Issues Message, Declares: “Iran Cannot Have a Nuclear Weapon”

Since the U.S. withdrawal, Iran has enriched uranium well beyond the limits set by the accord, reaching 274 kilograms enriched to 60% purity—dangerously close to the 90% threshold for military use, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

As negotiations around the Iranian nuclear deal progress, international pressure on Tehran continues to mount.

Diplomats worldwide have expressed concern over Iran’s nuclear activity and its increasing enrichment capabilities.

Despite Iran’s insistence that its missile program remain off the table, the U.S. maintains that a final agreement will only be possible if it includes full verification of Iran’s weapons capabilities.

SOURCE: EFE