Iran’s Ballistic Missile Program: Negotiations, Claims, and Global Reactions

Iran rejects Trump’s push to include ballistic missiles in Gulf talks, calling its program ‘non-negotiable’

Iran’s government has ruled out discussions on its ballistic missile capabilities during upcoming negotiations with Gulf Arab states, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry on June 18. The move comes as U.S. President Donald Trump—who has framed missile proliferation and Iranian-backed militant networks as key agenda items—prepares to meet with Gulf leaders, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, to address regional security concerns.

Why Iran insists its missile program is off-limits
The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that Tehran’s ballistic missile program is “not on the negotiating table,” emphasizing that it is a matter of national defense and sovereignty. A ministry spokesperson said in a briefing that any attempt to link missile development to broader diplomatic talks would be “a violation of Iran’s red lines.”

This stance contrasts sharply with Trump’s public remarks, where he has suggested that limiting Iran’s missile arsenal could be part of a broader regional security deal. In a June 17 interview with The Times of Israel, Trump said it would be “acceptable” for Iran to retain “a few” missiles for defensive purposes, but added that “85% of their missiles” could be neutralized through negotiations—a claim that Iranian officials dismiss as unrealistic.

Trump’s push for Gulf unity on Iran’s missile threat
Trump has signaled that his upcoming meetings with Gulf leaders will focus on countering Iran’s regional influence, including its support for militant groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen. A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Zonebourse that the administration aims to secure Gulf commitments to “deter and disrupt” Iranian-backed activities, including missile deployments near shared borders.

However, Iranian officials have rejected any linkage between missile capabilities and broader security talks. “Iran’s missile program is a deterrent against aggression and will not be compromised,” the Foreign Ministry statement said. Analysts note that Iran’s missile arsenal—estimated at over 1,000 short-, medium-, and long-range systems—has grown despite U.S. sanctions and repeated Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian and proxy stockpiles.

How Gulf states view the impasse
Gulf Arab governments, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have long cited Iran’s missile program as a direct threat, given Tehran’s support for Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping and drone strikes against Saudi oil facilities. A Saudi official, speaking to Le Figaro, acknowledged that while Riyadh seeks to avoid direct confrontation with Iran, it remains “deeply concerned” about the escalation of missile deployments in Iraq and Syria, which Iran uses as staging grounds.

Trump’s suggestion that Iran could retain “a few” missiles has drawn skepticism from regional allies. “The issue isn’t about the number—it’s about the intent,” said a UAE diplomat, who requested anonymity. “Iran’s missile program is not for defense; it’s for coercion.”

What happens next in the talks?
With Iran refusing to engage on missiles, Trump’s focus is likely to shift toward other areas of contention, including sanctions relief, trade, and counterterrorism cooperation. However, Gulf states have made clear that any deal with Iran will require concrete steps to curb its missile and proxy activities.

Iran’s hardline stance on its missile program suggests that the issue will remain a sticking point in any future negotiations. Meanwhile, Israel—whose military has conducted hundreds of strikes against Iranian missile sites in Syria—has not commented publicly on Trump’s remarks, though Israeli officials have previously warned that any reduction in Iran’s missile capabilities would require “verifiable and irreversible” measures.

Key figures and timelines

• June 18: Iranian Foreign Ministry rejects missile talks in a formal statement.
• June 17: Trump tells The Times of Israel that “85% of Iran’s missiles” could be neutralized, calling retention of “a few” acceptable.
• 2023–2026: Iran expands missile production despite U.S. sanctions and Israeli airstrikes.
• 2024: Saudi Arabia and UAE face repeated Houthi drone/missile attacks linked to Iranian support.

How this fits into broader U.S.-Iran tensions
The dispute over missiles reflects deeper divisions in U.S. policy toward Iran. While Trump’s administration has pursued a pragmatic approach—including indirect talks with Tehran—hardliners in both Washington and Tehran have resisted concessions. The Gulf states, caught in the middle, face a dilemma: whether to prioritize stability over confrontation with Iran, or demand stronger guarantees on missile restrictions before engaging in dialogue.

For now, Iran’s refusal to discuss its missile program appears to have derailed one of Trump’s key objectives in the Gulf talks. Whether the issue can be revisited in future negotiations remains uncertain, but regional analysts warn that without progress, tensions—rather than cooperation—will dominate the next phase of U.S.-Iran-Gulf relations.