Iran’s Pezeshkian Rules Out Missile Programme in US Nuclear Deal, Calls Arsenal Essential to National Survival
Iran’s Pezeshkian Rules Out Missile Programme in US Nuclear Deal, Calls Arsenal Essential to National Survival
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared on Tuesday in Islamabad that Tehran’s missile programme is entirely excluded from the recently concluded 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States — and will remain off the table in any future negotiations.
Speaking at a press conference during a state visit to Pakistan, Pezeshkian framed Iran’s missile capabilities as a non-negotiable pillar of national defence, warning of existential consequences without them.
“If we did not have the missiles we use for our defence, Israel and the United States would have devastated Iran,” he said, in remarks broadcast by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
What the MoU Actually Contains
The United States released the official text of the memorandum last week following technical talks held in Switzerland. The agreement covers three principal areas: the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the easing of certain financial restrictions on Iran, and a framework for future technical discussions on Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Critically, the published text contains no reference to Iran’s missile programme or broader conventional defence capabilities. The sole weapons-related commitment cited is Iran’s pledge not to “procure or develop nuclear weapons.”
“The discussion over our missiles does not exist in the MoU, and it never will,” Pezeshkian stated unambiguously.
A Shift in Washington’s Position
The omission is significant given prior US posturing. President Donald Trump had previously identified Iran’s missile programme as a central concern during periods of acute military tension between the two countries.
That position appeared to soften markedly during recent diplomatic engagement. At last week’s G7 summit, Trump stated that “missiles aren’t the problem” — a formulation that contrasts sharply with earlier American demands and suggests Washington prioritised nuclear containment over conventional arms constraints in the current agreement.
Regional Context
Pezeshkian’s remarks came at the conclusion of a visit to Islamabad focused on bilateral ties and regional stability. The visit followed the Switzerland technical talks, which form part of the broader diplomatic architecture underpinning the 14-point MoU.
The agreement represents one of the most substantive frameworks for US-Iran engagement in years, emerging against a backdrop of recurring threats of military escalation and sustained economic pressure on Tehran through sanctions.
Whether the exclusion of Iran’s missile programme reflects a durable American concession or a deferred negotiating point remains an open question as both sides move toward the technical discussions on nuclear matters outlined in the memorandum.
