IRGC Commander: Missile Range Set at Two Thousand Kilometers According to Leader's Policies

The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) emphasized Iran's capability to increase the range of its missiles, stating that the range of these missiles has been set at "two thousand kilometers" according to the policies of Ayatollah Khamenei. This point was also mentioned by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran on Tuesday, who deemed the determination of Iran's missile range as the responsibility of the Supreme Leader. Mohammad Ali Jafari, the IRGC commander, stated on Tuesday, November 9, that the range of Iranian-made missiles has been chosen based on the policies set by the leadership. According to Fars News Agency, which is close to the IRGC, he said, "This range is currently sufficient, as the Americans have a significant presence within a two thousand kilometer radius of our country, and we will respond to any aggression." Meanwhile, the Tasnim News Agency reported Jafari's statement as: "We consider this missile capability and range sufficient for the Islamic Republic, as most American interests and forces are within this missile range." The determination of the range of Iranian-made missiles by Ayatollah Khamenei has been referenced by several senior military commanders of the Islamic Republic before, including Jafari himself in 2015. The issue of producing and testing ballistic missiles in Iran is among the issues that the Trump administration in the U.S. has emphasized, repeatedly stating that testing such missiles, even if not a violation of the text of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), violates the "spirit of the JCPOA." Resolution 2231, adopted by the UN Security Council after the signing of the July 2015 agreement in Vienna between Iran and six world powers to resolve the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, prohibits Tehran from testing any missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Iran claims that "the tested missiles are not designed to carry nuclear warheads," and thus its missile tests do not contradict the nuclear agreement, the JCPOA. However, American officials and some other countries reject this claim. Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the UN, previously described the Iranian officials' statements regarding the defensive aspect of Iran's missile program as "unacceptable." Iran's missile program is also one of the issues that the U.S. cites to accuse Tehran of creating instability in the region. In contrast, the emphasis and insistence of Islamic Republic officials on the construction and testing of missiles, especially in recent days, have been more reflected in the media following the approval of a new missile sanctions bill against Iran in the U.S. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on October 26 to sanction companies and individuals that assist in meeting the needs of Iran's ballistic missile program with a significant majority. Ed Royce, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who prepared this bill, stated that Iran has no need to develop or employ intercontinental ballistic missile programs. In response to the approval of this bill, the President of Iran emphasized: "We have built, are building, and will continue to build missiles, as it does not contradict any international laws or Resolution 2231." On Tuesday, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran also referred to the range of domestically produced missiles, stating that two thousand kilometers has been deemed "permissible" by Ayatollah Khamenei. Fars News Agency quoted Mohammad Baqeri, the Chief of Staff, saying: "Our missiles are permissible up to two thousand kilometers as determined by the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces." He further stated: "Our scientists have been able to produce these missiles in terms of quantity and as necessary for the country and have deployed them in secure areas and underground missile cities." Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday that the recent statements by the IRGC commander regarding the limited range of Iranian-made missiles indicate the Islamic Republic's desire to reduce tensions over its missile program. However, the IRGC commander simultaneously threatened that "Americans should be assured that the more sanctions and pressures increase, the volume, range, and production of Iran's missiles will accelerate."