Conflicting reports emerge on Iran's willingness to discuss missiles

Conflicting reports have emerged on whether Iran is open to negotiations regarding its ballistic missiles programme.

The increased speculation follows reports that US President Donald Trump is preparing to decertify the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, which is likely to escalate hostilities between Washington and Tehran.

A report from Reuters quoted an unnamed source who claimed that Iran had expressed openness to negotiation on the matter.

"During their meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last month, Iran told members of the (world powers) that it could discuss the missile programme to remove concerns," the unnamed Iranian source said.

This softened tone contrasts a statement by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who last month said that there would be no negotiation on the terms of the nuclear deal.

The Reuters report also quoted a former US Defense Department official who claimed that Tehran had "put feelers out saying it is willing to discuss its ballistic missile programme".

The sources cited by Reuters indicate that Iran is moving to salvage the nuclear deal before Trump's announcement, which is expected to take place on October 12.

Later on Friday, however, Iran's Mehr news agency reported that Tehran had denied being open to negotiations.

"Iran has in all bilateral diplomatic meetings … emphasised that its defensive missile program is not negotiable," the Iranian agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi as saying.

At present, all eyes are on Washington, where President Trump is set to deliver his new strategy on Iran.

Trump has repeatedly slammed the nuclear accord, which was struck under Barack Obama's presidency, as the "worst deal ever".

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Friday that the Trump administration's new comprehensive strategy on Iran would be announced "in the coming days".