Iran missile stance is a ‘big problem,’ Rubio warns as Geneva talks begin

“Iran refuses to talk about the ballistic missiles to us or to anyone, and that’s a big problem,” Rubio said.

By World Israel News Staff

Ahead of the third round of indirect nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran, which have since begun in Geneva, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Tehran’s refusal to discuss its ballistic missile program remains a major obstacle to progress.

The talks are aimed at preventing potential American military action against the Islamic Republic as tensions between the two sides continue to rise.

Speaking before the meetings, Rubio said Tehran’s unwillingness to address its missile capabilities posed a serious challenge to diplomacy.

“Iran refuses to talk about the ballistic missiles to us or to anyone, and that’s a big problem,” he said, adding that the country possesses “thousands of short-range ballistic missiles” capable of threatening U.S. forces, regional partners, and American bases across the Middle East.

Rubio also pointed to Iran’s naval capabilities, which he said pose risks to international shipping and could threaten U.S. naval operations, as well as conventional weapons systems he described as designed to target American interests.

As negotiations got underway, Iranian officials pushed back against Washington’s public messaging.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said the third round of indirect talks had effectively begun following a meeting the previous evening between Iran’s foreign minister and his Omani counterpart, who is serving as mediator between the sides.

According to Kanaani, Iran’s positions and considerations were presented in detail through Omani channels, while discussions between American and Omani representatives continued separately.

Kanaani criticized what he described as contradictory public statements from U.S. officials, arguing that such remarks undermine diplomatic progress.

“We sometimes hear conflicting statements from American officials, who are one of the parties to the negotiations,” he said. “If this truly reflects their position, it should be presented inside the negotiation room.”

Public comments made through the media, he added, create the impression of internal disagreements within the U.S. administration and “do not help advance the diplomatic process,” instead increasing doubts about Washington’s true intentions.