Firoozabadi: We Adhere to the Two Thousand Kilometer Range Limit of Our Missiles

Hassan Firoozabadi, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran, stated that the Islamic Republic adheres to 'two limits' regarding its missile program: 'one is what is stated in the JCPOA regarding the prohibition of nuclear design, and the second is the two thousand kilometer range of our missiles, which has been previously announced by all officials in the country.' A statement released on Tuesday, November 12, by Mr. Firoozabadi's office, which was published by Iranian news agencies, also emphasized that the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran confirmed the remarks of the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) regarding the 'lack of limitations on the missile activities' of the Islamic Republic. Firoozabadi's comments about the maximum range of two thousand kilometers for Iran's missiles come at a time when reports from domestic Iranian media have indicated ranges of up to three thousand kilometers for some models of the Islamic Republic's missiles. Previously, Mohammad Ali Jafari, the commander of the IRGC, stated that the range of the IRGC's missiles is determined solely by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and that missiles with a range of two thousand kilometers can reach Israel. Among the media outlets, Mehr news agency emphasized in October 2013 that some of Iran's missiles with a three thousand kilometer range could target distant points in Asia and Europe. The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution in June 2010 prohibiting the Islamic Republic from producing ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons and conducting ballistic missile tests. In Resolution 2231, the Security Council requested Iran to refrain from any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to carry nuclear weapons for eight years after the 'day of acceptance of the agreement' or until the International Atomic Energy Agency provides a report confirming a 'broader conclusion.' The Islamic Republic has stated that it rejects the provisions of this resolution concerning its 'defensive capabilities,' particularly its missiles, and will not comply. Subsequently, on October 19, the same day the Islamic Consultative Assembly approved the general implementation of the JCPOA, Iran's Ministry of Defense announced the test of a new ballistic missile named Emad. The Iranian Defense Minister did not disclose the precise range of this missile but stated that the Emad missile is a 'long-range' missile. The United States believes that this missile has the capability to carry a nuclear warhead.