Iran is trying to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles that could one day reach the US, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday, characterizing Tehran's missile program as "an unstable threat," LETA reported citing DPA.
Washington is observing that Iran is expanding the range of the missiles in its arsenal, Rubio told reporters in the capital of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Basseterre. According to him, it is clear that Iran is striving to develop weaponry capable of reaching the US.
Rubio stated that Iran already possesses weaponry that can threaten a significant part of Europe.
He expressed surprise that Tehran continues to invest in longer-range missiles despite sanctions and severe economic difficulties. "This is an unstable threat," Rubio said, who is also an advisor to US President Donald Trump on national security issues.
Speaking ahead of a new round of negotiations between the US and Iran in Geneva, Rubio noted that diplomacy is never rejected and that Trump prefers diplomatic solutions. He described the meeting scheduled for Thursday, which will be the third round of negotiations this year, as "the next opportunity for dialogue."
Rubio reported that the indirect negotiations, taking place with the mediation of Oman, will primarily focus on Iran's nuclear program. The US delegation will be led by Special Envoy Steve Whitcoff.
Rubio emphasized that Washington hopes for progress in these negotiations; however, Iran's refusal to discuss its ballistic missile program remains "a major issue."
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