Deputy Commander of the IRGC: If Europeans Enter Our Missile Zone, We Will Lift Range Restrictions

Hosseini Salami stated that if Europeans wish to "enter the territory of our missiles," Iran may increase the range of its missiles. He also mentioned that conditions might arise where Yemenis "use their weapons against Saudi Arabia." The Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a program on Iranian state television, "We tell European countries that if we have kept the range of our missiles to two thousand kilometers until today, it is not due to a lack of technology... but because every action we take has a strategic logic, and as long as there is a threat, the range of our missiles will extend to that point." He added, "Until now, we felt that Europe was not a threat to us, and we did not increase the range of our missiles to Europe, but if Europe wishes to become a threat, the range of the missiles will increase. We are being considerate. They should also be considerate." Salami's reference to missile range relates to previous statements by IRGC commanders. Mohammad Ali Jafari had stated on November 9 that the range of Iranian-made missiles was chosen to be two thousand kilometers "according to the policies set by the leadership." The United States has repeatedly criticized Iran's missile program and related tests, considering them a source of instability in West Asia and the world, and a violation of the spirit of the nuclear agreement. European countries have also echoed their concerns regarding Iran's missile program alongside the U.S. France, on the other hand, has raised more criticisms. Emmanuel Macron stated last month: "There is a possibility of sanctions against Tehran's missile program" and "We must negotiate with Iran regarding the missile program." The French Foreign Ministry has also announced that France is concerned about the speed of Iran's missile program, which Paris claims is a source of instability and insecurity in the region. Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers, called on Iran to refrain from developing ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Iran claims its missile program has a "defensive aspect" and is not intended for carrying nuclear warheads, as Tehran is not seeking to build such weapons. In another part of his remarks on the program "One Look," Salami stated, "Yemenis had many missiles and, with certain considerations, refrained from massive firing at Saudi Arabia, but conditions may arise where they use their weapons." He reiterated previous statements by Iranian political and military officials that the Islamic Republic has not provided missiles to Yemen. Salami added that the Houthis and their allies "have increased the accuracy and range of their missiles to such an extent that despite all Patriot systems being activated, they hit their targets." Saudi Arabia, which leads a coalition against the Houthi rebels to restore power to Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, the President of Yemen, has accused Iran of involvement in the missile attack on Riyadh in November. Saudi Arabia and the United States claim to have evidence that shows Tehran was involved in this attack, which the Islamic Republic has denied. Saudi Arabia also stated that this attack was unsuccessful and that the missile launched near Riyadh was destroyed. The Saudi Kingdom has stated that it considers this attack as an "announcement of war" from Iran to Saudi Arabia and will respond at a "suitable opportunity." Tensions in the fluctuating relations between Tehran and Riyadh are currently escalating. Many experts believe that the Islamic Republic and Saudi Arabia are currently engaged in a proxy war from Syria to Yemen, and the scope of these disputes may increase. In this context, Saudi Arabia has called for a serious stance from the Arab League regarding Iran, while Tehran has dismissed the Arab League's statement condemning "Iran's interventions" as "worthless."