Trump says denying Iran ballistic missiles is unfair if neighbouring countries possess them. (Image: AP) After signing the landmark US-Iran peace agreement, President Donald Trump said it would be unfair to deny Tehran ballistic missiles if other countries in the region possess similar capabilities, marking a notable shift in Washington's rhetoric on one of the Middle East's most contentious issues. Speaking to reporters in Paris shortly after the agreement was signed, Trump argued that Iran's missile programme should be viewed in the context of the broader region. "I'm saying that if other countries have them, it's a little bit unfair for them not to have some," Trump said. Referring to Gulf states, he added, "If Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and they all have some, I would say in relative proportion, I think it's okay." Trump also said the United States would maintain a military presence in the Gulf "for a while" despite the breakthrough with Tehran. Drawing a distinction between ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons, Trump argued that the two should not be viewed through the same lens. "Missiles aren't the problem. They hurt a little location, but they don't blow up the planet," Trump was quoted as saying by The Times of Israel, adding that missile-related issues would still be discussed in future rounds of negotiations. "A ballistic missile is not the same thing as what we're talking about when we talk nuclear," he said. The remarks suggest a softer US position on Iran's ballistic missile programme, an issue that Israel has long argued must be addressed as part of any broader agreement with Tehran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly maintained that Iran's missile capabilities are inseparable from concerns over its nuclear ambitions and regional activities. Trump, however, indicated that Washington does not necessarily see the two issues as equivalent. Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian formally signed the peace accord on Thursday, ending nearly four months of hostilities between the two countries. According to reports, Trump signed the memorandum of understanding during a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles following the G7 summit. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News and around the World. Megha Rawat is an Assistant News Editor at Times Now, where she drives the national news narrative with sharp political reporting, election coverage a... View More