Summary
- President Donald Trump has said it would be unfair to deny Iran the right to possess ballistic missiles while other countries in the Middle East maintain similar capabilities.
- Speaking to reporters in Paris, Trump argued that if regional nations such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar have ballistic missile programs, Iran should also be allowed to have a reasonable number of such missiles.
- He stressed that ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons are separate issues and noted that discussions surrounding a nuclear agreement did not focus on Iran’s missile programme.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said it would be unfair to deny Iran the right to possess ballistic missiles while other countries in the Middle East maintain similar capabilities.
Speaking to reporters in Paris, Trump argued that if regional nations such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar have ballistic missile programs, Iran should also be allowed to have a reasonable number of such missiles. He stressed that ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons are separate issues and noted that discussions surrounding a nuclear agreement did not focus on Iran’s missile programme.
Trump’s remarks came amid efforts by Washington and Tehran to ease tensions through an interim agreement aimed at improving relations between the two countries. In the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump signed a memorandum of understanding related to the U.S.-Iran rapprochement. The document was titled the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.”
The comments mark a notable shift in tone from Washington and could influence future discussions on security arrangements and arms control in the Middle East, where concerns over Iran’s military capabilities have long remained a contentious issue.
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