The government of Iran has strongly rejected any attempt by Western countries to include its missile programme or regional military actions in ongoing nuclear negotiations. This firm stance was made clear by the Iranian Foreign Ministry after recent suggestions by France for a broader deal that would go beyond nuclear issues.
Speaking to Journalists in Tehran on Monday, Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the country would not entertain any discussion about its defence capabilities. He emphasised that Iran’s ballistic missile programme is strictly for defence and cannot be included in international talks.
“There will absolutely be no discussion on matters related to our defence capabilities,” Baqaei said. His statement was in response to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who during a television interview in the United States called for a new, more “comprehensive agreement” with Iran. Barrot said that any future deal must address not only Iran’s nuclear programme but also its missile development and alleged support for armed groups in the Middle East.
The French minister warned that if no strong and verifiable agreement is reached before the end of summer, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom would activate the snapback mechanism — a move that would restore United Nations sanctions against Iran that were removed under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
This warning came just days after high-level talks were held in Istanbul, Turkey, between Iranian officials and diplomats from France, Germany, and the UK. The meeting was the first round of nuclear discussions since the Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities last month, which led to a 12-day war between Israel and Iran. The United States was also briefly involved in the conflict, targeting Iranian nuclear sites in what it said were limited military operations.
Iran has accused Israel of assassinating senior nuclear scientists and top military commanders during the strikes, which reportedly also killed civilians. Tehran has vowed to defend itself from further aggression and appears to be hardening its diplomatic position.
Baqqaei made it clear that the Istanbul meeting only discussed nuclear matters and the issue of lifting sanctions. “Raising unrelated topics is merely a sign of confusion on the part of the other side,” he said, dismissing efforts by European countries to expand the scope of the talks.
He also issued a strong warning to Western countries that Iran might withdraw from the global nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if they continue to apply pressure. “One cannot expect a country to remain in the treaty while being deprived of its stated rights, particularly the peaceful use of nuclear energy,” Baqaei noted.
According to Iranian authorities, their nuclear programme remains peaceful, and the push to strengthen their missile defence system is necessary given the continued threats from Israel and foreign military forces in the region.
Tensions between Tehran and the West have grown sharply since the escalation with Israel. Iranian leaders say the recent events have only strengthened their commitment to resist foreign interference and preserve national sovereignty.
“Our recent experiences have made us even more determined to protect all our assets, including our right to defend our nation from external threats,” Baqaei said.
Observers believe the outcome of these negotiations will significantly affect the region’s stability. Iran is demanding the full removal of international sanctions and recognition of its right to peaceful nuclear development, while Western nations are increasingly concerned about Tehran’s military activities and influence in countries like Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen.
The 2015 nuclear agreement, also known as the JCPOA, initially saw Iran scale back its nuclear activities in exchange for economic relief. However, that deal has largely collapsed since former U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. Since then, Iran has gradually rolled back its commitments under the agreement.
As diplomatic tensions rise and the threat of renewed UN sanctions looms, the future of the nuclear talks remains uncertain. While Iran continues to demand respect for its sovereignty and rights, Western nations are unlikely to back down from calls for broader commitments.
