Tehran seeks sanctions rollback yet preserves missile arsenal, reinforcing Israel’s security concerns and regional vigilance.
Iran has signaled readiness to freeze its nuclear program over the long term in exchange for the removal of international sanctions, while firmly rejecting any discussion on limiting its ballistic missile capabilities.
According to Iranian officials, the missile program is portrayed as a defensive necessity, explicitly framed as deterrence against Israel. Israeli analysts have long warned that such missiles form the backbone of Iran’s regional threat posture.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi conveyed to his Omani counterpart that Tehran’s immediate objective is to manage tensions with the United States while advancing negotiations. Iranian state outlets emphasized that Iran seeks dialogue without yielding to pressure.
Tehran-aligned media described the Muscat talks as negotiations about the negotiation framework itself rather than substantive agreement terms. The presence of regional military movements alongside diplomatic efforts was framed as coercive, with Iranian sources asserting that Iran would not alter its positions under threat.
Iran has reportedly set a strict boundary for discussions, insisting talks be confined solely to its nuclear program, excluding missile development and regional military activities. Israeli officials continue to stress that any agreement ignoring Iran’s missile arsenal leaves the core threat to Israel unresolved.
