Iran lifts self-imposed ballistic missile range limit

The Iranian leadership has announced the removal of a long-standing, self-imposed 2,000-kilometer limit on the range of its ballistic missiles. Hossein Mohebbi, a spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stated that the restriction has been lifted and that the military is now focused on demonstrating these capabilities in practice.

Iranian officials have framed this decision as a response to potential military escalations involving the United States and Israel. Officials warned that if American forces use military installations in Europe, such as bases in Germany or Italy, those locations could become targets for Iranian retaliation. This shift follows a strategy of “maximal deterrence” declared by the leadership, which aims to remove geographical limitations on defense capabilities.

While the exact extent of Iran's current missile reach is a subject of international debate, U.S. officials suggest the country possesses the technology required to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles. Even with existing technology, parts of Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania are within range of Iranian weaponry.