Iran reportedly open to talking about ballistic missile arsenal
A day after sources said that President Trump planned to decertify the Iranian nuke deal, it was reported that the theocratic regime was open to talks about its ballistic-missile arsenal.
The Iranians informed leaders of six world powers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last month that it wanted to reduce tensions over the program, Iranian and Western officials told Reuters.
Tehran repeatedly has vowed to continue building up what it calls defensive missile capability in defiance of Western criticism, with Washington saying the Islamic Republic’s stance violates its 2015 nuclear deal with the powers.
But the sources said that given Trump’s threats to ditch the deal reached under President Barack Obama, Tehran had approached the powers about possible talks on its missile program.
“During their meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last month, Iran told [world powers] that it could discuss the missile program to remove concerns,” an Iranian source told Reuters.
Iran’s reported approach came after Trump called the nuclear accord “an embarrassment” and “the worst deal ever negotiated.”
He is expected to announce next week that he will decertify the deal. Such a step could unravel the breakthrough agreement also signed by Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China, all of whom have reaffirmed commitment to the deal.