Iran Says Missile Limits Excluded From U.S. Peace Talks

The Iranian government announced Thursday that limits on its ballistic missile force will not be part of negotiations with the United States that follow the signing of a peace deal. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told Iranian state television that the missiles are only for firing and will not be discussed in any process or with any party, Agence France-Presse reported.

The comments follow earlier Iranian statements that the missiles are purely defensive.

A memorandum of understanding signed by President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian seeks to end the regional war that began in February. The pact outlines plans for talks on Iran’s damaged nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions on Tehran.

The destruction of Iran’s missile forces had been a key element of the American rationale for launching attacks during the conflict, along with ending the nuclear program and halting Iran’s backing for international terrorist groups.

Shift in U.S.

He said Tehran should be allowed to keep its missiles and that it would be unfair if other nations in the region have them but Iran does not. Prior to the conflict, President Trump said during his State of the Union address that Iranian missiles posed a direct threat requiring action.

A Defense Intelligence Agency report made public in 2025 stated that Iran is expected to have 60 intercontinental ballistic missiles by 2035. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters early in the conflict that destroying Iranian missiles and missile production capabilities were objectives.