The US is mindful of Iran's missile programme advancing in recent years, the Pentagon has said.
The programme is a threat to US interests, spokesman John Kirby said, but declined to comment on intelligence assessments about the possibility of an Iranian missile launch.
He made the comments against the backdrop of nuclear talks in Vienna between the US, the EU and Iran.
Tehran has made it clear its missile programme is not up for discussion in the nuclear negotiations. In August, newly inaugurated President Ebrahim Raisi gave a speech in which he outlined Iran's stance in any negotiations.
He said while he would negotiate for the relief of sanctions, he would not negotiate over limiting Tehran’s ballistic missile programme or its support for regional militia proxy forces.
Iran's conventional ballistic missile programme is seen as a red line in talks.
Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran's military aircraft have become obsolete, having been bought prior to the revolution and the Iran-Iraq war.
Many have fallen into disrepair, a problem worsened by sanctions, which has limited Tehran's ability to maintain the aircraft.
In lieu of an effective air force, the government spent billions of dollars over the past few decades building up a missile programme.
Last week, Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz said he told US officials a deadline had been given to complete preparations for an attack against Iran.
Israel has been one of the loudest opponents of the Iran nuclear accord, previously pushing the Trump administration to exit the deal unilaterally, causing it to collapse.
Since the Biden administration took office, Israel has made an effort to push the US and Europe to include curbs not just on Iran's nuclear programmes but also on Iran's missile programme.
A source allegedly close to Mr Gantz told Israeli media the US voiced no opposition to the plan and that there was "no veto".
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
In numbers
1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
- 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
- 150 tonnes to landfill
- 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal
800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal
Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year
25 staff on site
TALE OF THE TAPE
Manny Pacquiao
Record: 59-6-2 (38 KOs)
Age: 38
Weight: 146lbs
Height: 166cm
Reach: 170cm
Jeff Horn
Record: 16-0-1 (11 KOs)
Age: 29
Weight: 146.2lbs
Height: 175cm
Reach: 173cm
The biog
Name: Younis Al Balooshi
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
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