Iran’s top security official said the country will not negotiate over its ballistic missile program because it is essential for national defense. “Defensive deterrence is non-negotiable,” Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, stated. He emphasized that the missile program operates independently of Tehran’s nuclear activities.
Meanwhile, Israel has urged the United States to include Iran’s missile capabilities in the nuclear discussions. Larijani insisted the talks must focus solely on Iran’s nuclear program. “Our missile program is a domestic matter tied to national security. Therefore, we cannot include it in these negotiations,” he added.
Larijani described the talks with Washington as positive if they remain fair. However, he warned that officials should avoid delaying progress or expanding the agenda beyond nuclear issues. Iran pursues diplomacy while maintaining deterrence to guard against aggression. “Iran is not seeking war, yet we will not surrender to threats. We rely on both negotiations and deterrence,” Larijani said.
The former nuclear negotiator confirmed that Iran will address international concerns about its nuclear program. Furthermore, he stated that Iran will not pursue nuclear weapons and will allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to monitor its facilities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty framework.
Larijani also rejected calls for zero-enrichment, calling them “unrealistic.” He explained that Iran needs nuclear technology for legitimate medical and research purposes. “A country that has mastered this technology cannot reduce it to zero,” he said. Regarding regional tensions, Larijani highlighted that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt oppose military action, showing concern for stability. He added that Iran cooperates with China and Russia based on shared interests, especially at the UN Security Council.
Additionally, he urged Washington to negotiate independently of Israeli influence, accusing Israel of trying to sabotage the talks. “Our negotiations are exclusively with the United States,” he said. Finally, Larijani noted that regional countries support a political solution to Iran’s nuclear program. He emphasized that his diplomatic visits to Oman and Qatar strengthened dialogue and encouraged regional cooperation.