During a news conference at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, President Donald Trump suggested that Iran's possession of ballistic missiles may not be a significant issue. He stated, "If other countries have them, it's a little bit unfair for them not to have some," referencing nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Trump remarked, "Missiles aren't the problem. They hurt a little location, but they don't blow up the planet," and indicated that Gulf nations would address non-nuclear issues, including ballistic missiles and terrorist proxies.
This statement contrasts with previous assertions by senior Trump administration officials, who had characterized Iran's missile capabilities as a major threat to regional security and a protective factor for Iran's nuclear ambitions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously emphasized that Iran should never possess a nuclear weapon and that degrading its missile capabilities was crucial to preventing Iran from using conventional military power as a cover for a nuclear program.
Trump's comments come amid ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Iran regarding the future of Iran's nuclear program, including discussions about its stockpile of enriched uranium. The administration has indicated that Iran's willingness to dilute its stockpile represents a significant concession, although key details of a final agreement remain unresolved. The White House has not provided further comments beyond Trump's remarks.