Iranian official accuses US of derailing nuclear talks over missile demands

A senior Iranian official has said that Iran is still open to negotiations with the United States over its nuclear programme, but accused Washington of blocking progress by demanding curbs on Tehran’s missile capabilities.

Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, criticised US demands as “unrealistic” in a statement posted on X, warning that such conditions undermine prospects for meaningful dialogue.

Indirect talks between Iran and the US were suspended in June following a 12-day conflict that saw Israel and the US launch strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Tehran responded with waves of ballistic missile attacks on Israel, sharply escalating regional tensions.

Dispute over missiles

Western countries accuse Iran of seeking to develop a nuclear weapon and the missiles to deliver one. Tehran has consistently denied this, saying its nuclear programme is strictly civilian—focused on energy production and medical research—and that its missile development is a matter of national defence and non-negotiable.

European pressure

Larijani’s remarks come days after France, Germany and Britain—known as the E3—triggered a “snapback mechanism” to restore UN sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear programme.

The European powers have urged Iran to return to the table and meet certain conditions that could postpone the full imposition of sanctions for up to six months.