"They have to deal with matters related to their ballistic missile programme that are included in the United Nations Security Council resolution that is part of explicitly, according to the Joint Plan of Action, the comprehensive resolution negotiation," said White House spokesman Jay Carney.
"I want to be very clear, per the Joint Plan of Action agreed to by Iran, Iran must address UN Security Council resolutions related to its nuclear programme before a comprehensive resolution can be reached," Carney told reporters at his daily news conference.
But Iran says the missiles are part of its defence establishment and beyond the limits of nuclear talks.
"The UN Security Council Resolution 1929, passed in 2010, prohibits Iran from undertaking any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using ballistic missile technology. So that is explicitly agreed by Iran in the Joint Plan of Action," Carney said adding that applies to all of the United Nations Security Council resolutions in this area.
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This session was chaired by the European Union Deputy Secretary General for the External Action Service Helga Scmidt and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas.
"This afternoon, the US and Iranian delegations held a bilateral meeting at the Palais Coburg. The meeting lasted for an hour and 20 minutes. The conversation was productive and focused mainly on how the comprehensive talks will proceed from here," a senior State Department official said.
Iran in November agreed to curb some of its nuclear activities in return for about USD 7 billion in sanctions relief.