07 January 2019

The EU should tackle Iran's ballistic missile program

Emma Scott, Research Assistant, Project Alpha

The EU has stated that it is leading a “dialogue” with Iran to address regional issues, as well as other issues of concern including the ballistic missile program. The question is how the EU is framing the negotiating agenda on Iran’s ballistic missile program. Is its position similar to the US position or does it diverge? The EU has maintained that it shares “most of the concerns expressed by the US regarding the status of Iran’s nuclear program after 2025, ‘Iran’s ballistic missiles program’ and its destabilising actions in the region.” However, it has failed to address or expand on these concerns. While the E3 has been willing to discuss missiles with the Trump administration—albeit in talks that ended when the US quit the JCPOA in May 2018—the EU has only referred to Iran’s ballistic missile program in public statements focused on preserving the JCPOA. It has yet to address the missile program as a stand-alone issue with implications for European security, the Middle East and the theme of proliferation more broadly.