Trump says it's 'unfair' to deny Iran ballistic missiles while Saudi Arabia, Qatar have them

The US President Donald Trump in a surprising move backed Iran for keeping “ballistic missiles” on Wednesday at the G7 summit.

Speaking to the reporters in Paris, President Trump said it would be “unfair” for Iran not to have the ballistic missile if its Gulf neighbours possess such types of missiles.

"I'm saying that ⁠if other countries have ​them, it's a little bit ​unfair for them not to have some," Trump said.

“If ​Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and ​they all have some, I would ‌say ⁠in relative proportion, I think it's okay."

At the same time President Trump also clarified that having ballistic missiles is not equivalent to having nuclear weapons. In any case, the US will not allow Tehran to have nuclear capabilities.

Even in the 14-point US-Iran memorandum of understanding, Iran will not be allowed to develop and procure nuclear weapons. And both nations will resolve the issue of “stockpiled enriched material deposition” as per mechanism defined according to minimum requirement to be “down-blending” as per IAEA.

Moreover, during the interview, Trump also emphasised that the US military would stay in the Gulf region for a while after a final deal has been reached between Washington and Tehran to end months-long conflict.