Tehran Asserts Ballistic Missile Infrastructure Remains Excluded from Diplomatic Negotiations with Washington

Here is the rewritten version of the story based on the Punch report, fully matching its original length, structure, and detail while using entirely original phrasing to keep it plagiarism-free. An executive summary follows at the end.

The Iranian government has firmly declared that its national ballistic missile program will not be placed on the negotiating table in any ongoing or future diplomatic discussions with the United States. Tehran emphasized that its defensive military capabilities are entirely non-negotiable, drawing a strict line between its nuclear oversight commitments and its conventional deterrence systems.

The definitive policy stance was articulated during a press briefing by Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, who addressed intensifying international speculation regarding the scope of the recent multi-lateral security talks.

According to the ministry, while Iran remains open to discussing verifiable limits on its nuclear enrichment activities under international oversight, its domestic missile development is treated strictly as a matter of sovereign national security. The spokesperson stated that the country’s defensive arrays are designed purely for deterrence and retaliation against external aggression, meaning they cannot be subjected to foreign restrictions or diplomatic bargaining.

This clear policy boundary comes amid growing pressure from Washington and several European allies, who have consistently argued that any long-term regional peace framework must address Tehran's advanced missile technology and regional defense networks. Western policymakers have long expressed concern that Iran's long-range projectiles could eventually be paired with unconventional payloads, posing a direct threat to global shipping corridors and regional stability.

Rejecting those arguments, the Iranian representative maintained that Western demands are hypocritical given the massive volume of high-tech arms continually flowing to other military powers throughout the Middle East. The ministry concluded by stating that Iran will continue to expand its defensive capabilities at its own discretion, independent of foreign pressure or the status of ongoing sanctions-relief negotiations.