US President Donald Trump said he does not oppose Iran having ballistic missiles. Speaking to reporters at Paris Airport, Trump expressed that he is not bothered by Iran possessing a limited number of ballistic missiles.
Trump argued that simply saying "no" to Iran would not be fair. Emphasizing that ballistic missiles are not the same as nuclear weapons, he reminded that many countries in the region also have such missiles.
Mentioning countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Trump stated that a similar capacity for Iran, when viewed relatively and proportionally, does not pose a problem. These remarks drew attention as talks between Washington and Tehran continue.
Answering questions about the agreement expected to be signed between the US and Iran, Trump said technical details are still being worked on. Although he previously said the signing could happen within 48 hours, he noted that it has not yet been fully completed.
Trump also avoided giving a clear timeline for how long the US military will remain in the Middle East. "Let's wait a bit and see how the process develops," he said, adding that he believes the outcome will be positive but it is not yet certain.
The US, Iran, and mediator Pakistan had earlier announced on February 28 that they reached an agreement aimed at ending the war initiated by the US and Israel against Iran. The agreement is also expected to cover Israel's military activities in Lebanon.
The parties plan to sign the agreement on Friday, June 19, in Geneva, Switzerland. It was reported that the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened following the signing.
