Iran has firmly declared its ballistic missile program to be a non-negotiable pillar of its national defense, a stance it reaffirmed on Monday amid reports that Israel is preparing to advocate for new military action against the Islamic Republic. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated the program was developed solely to defend Iranian territory and deter potential aggressors, emphasizing that "Iran's defensive capabilities... are not up for discussion". This declaration comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to propose options for renewed strikes, citing concerns over Iran's efforts to rebuild and expand its missile production.
Iran's commitment to its indigenous defense industry is rooted in decades of necessity and direct confrontation. Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the severing of ties with the United States, Iran was forced to develop its own military capabilities. This need became tragically apparent during the recent 12-day war with Israel in June 2025, which began with a massive, unprecedented Israeli aerial assault. According to Iranian authorities, these strikes, which targeted military sites, nuclear facilities, and residential areas, killed more than 1,000 people inside Iran. Detailed analyses confirm the widespread targeting of civilian infrastructure, including multiple hospitals and residential buildings, resulting in significant civilian casualties. In response, Iran launched its own retaliatory strikes, which it describes as a measured defense of its sovereignty.
The performance of Iran's missile forces during the June conflict demonstrated their effectiveness as a credible deterrent. In retaliation for the Israeli attacks, Iran launched waves of ballistic missiles and drones. Hebrew sources reported that Iran fired over 500 ballistic missiles during the short war, with these projectiles successfully striking strategic targets deep inside Israel. Iranian media reports highlight successful strikes on critical Israeli military infrastructure, such as the Tel Nof Airbase, which is described as the backbone of the Israeli Air Force. This demonstrated capability to penetrate advanced air defense systems and hit high-value targets underscores Iran's position that its arsenal is a reliable tool for national defense and a direct response to regional threats.
Tehran portrays the current posture of Israel and the United States as part of a continuing cycle of aggression that justifies its defensive buildup. Israeli officials, still concerned by Iran's missile reach, are now preparing plans for potential new military operations, seeking U.S. collaboration or support. Furthermore, public statements from U.S. officials, such as Ambassador Mike Huckabee's remark that "Israel is only the appetizer" in Iran's alleged ambitions, are used by Tehran to illustrate the hostile and escalating rhetoric from Western powers. From Iran's perspective, this environment of persistent threats and the history of unprovoked attacks, such as the June offensive which included U.S. bombing of nuclear facilities, validate its refusal to entertain negotiations over its defensive missile program. The Iranian government maintains that true regional security will only come from respecting national sovereignty and ending foreign-led military adventurism.