U.S. President Signals Flexibility on Iran Ballistic Missiles

The U.S. president said Wednesday that Iran could keep some ballistic missiles as the United States works to end its involvement in the regional conflict. The remarks came during a press conference at the G7 summit and contrasted with an earlier administration stance that had identified elimination of Iran's missile capabilities as a primary objective.

The president noted that other Persian Gulf nations would address non-nuclear issues over the next 60 days alongside U.S. talks with Iran. He argued that allowing Iran to retain missiles aligns with regional realities, pointing out that Saudi Arabia possesses similar systems.

"Somebody said, 'You shouldn't give them one,' and I have guys — I like some of these guys, but I don't think they're smart. ' I said, 'Well, what am I going to do? '" the president stated. The president added that missiles affect limited areas and do not pose a global threat.

He also reported that U.S. actions had already reduced Iran's missile inventory by approximately 84 to 85 percent, with remaining systems stored underground.

Officials said Iran currently holds fewer missiles than other nations in the region. The president questioned the value of extending talks solely to eliminate the remaining systems, noting the difficulty Iran would face in rebuilding its capabilities.

The memorandum of understanding under discussion does not address missile capabilities, according to the president. He indicated Iran has shown no current interest in launching missiles and faces challenges in restoring its forces.