Washington. This Wednesday, the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, emphasised the risks posed to US interests by Iran’s weaponry programmes, and not just their nuclear advancements. This statement comes a day before Washington and Tehran are set to resume talks in Geneva, amidst an increase in military activity in the Middle East. At a press conference in Saint Kitts and Nevis, Rubio highlighted that, in the context of the current discussions, Iran refuses to discuss its ballistic missile programme. «They are working on the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles.» They are observed sending satellites into space, increasing the range of the missiles they possess, and are on a path that will enable them to develop weaponry capable of reaching the continental United States,» said Rubio. The top US diplomat noted that Iran has short-range ballistic missiles that pose a risk to US bases and their allies in the region. Additionally, he pointed out that they currently possess in their arsenal «weapons capable of reaching most of Europe.» «They have maritime resources that endanger shipping routes and seek to challenge the US Navy. It is important to recognise that, in addition to their nuclear programme, they have these conventional weapons designed to attack the US,» Rubio commented.
