IRGC Commander: Our Policy is Not to Increase Missile Range for Now

The Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the Islamic Republic currently has no intention of increasing the range of its missiles beyond 2,000 kilometers. He also labeled those who propose direct negotiations between Iran and the United States as 'traitors.' On Tuesday (June 18), Mohammad Ali Jafari expressed this during a commemoration of 'the exemplary master of the Islamic Revolution,' adding that 'we have the scientific capability to increase the range of our missiles.' He further stated that the current policy of the Islamic Republic is not to increase missile range, as 'many strategic targets of the enemies are within this 2,000-kilometer range, and therefore the enemy does not dare to look at the Islamic Republic.' He had previously indicated that the range of Iran's missiles is determined based on the views of the Supreme Leader, who commands the armed forces in the country. Iran has one of the largest missile programs in the Middle East, and it is said that its missiles can reach Israeli territory. Jafari's remarks come amid increasing U.S. pressure on Iran due to its missile program. Donald Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement with world powers, stating that the deal was 'defective' because it did not limit Iran's missile program or prevent the Islamic Republic's activities in the region, including Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. Iran has repeatedly stated that its missile program is purely 'defensive' and that it will not negotiate with anyone regarding this issue or its support for allies in the Middle East. Jafari referred to the negotiations between Iran and the U.S. over Tehran's nuclear program as an 'exception' that was conducted 'for certain interests and with the Leader's permission.' He labeled politicians and activists who recently proposed direct dialogue between Iran and the U.S. in a letter as 'traitors and counter-revolutionaries,' stating that 'the main problem lies in their liberal ideological foundations.' Recently, over a hundred political and civil activists inside and outside Iran issued a statement calling for 'direct and unconditional negotiations' between Iran and the U.S., referencing the 'global' welcome for the meeting between the U.S. President and the North Korean leader and the 'dangerous situation' in the region. The authors of this statement also noted the 'missed opportunity' of the Barack Obama administration and urged the Islamic Republic to 'boldly declare its willingness to engage in unconditional negotiations with the U.S. to take a step towards resolving problems and differences.' Previous proposals for direct negotiations between Iran and the U.S. have been rejected by the Supreme Leader, who stated that the subject of these negotiations would only be the nuclear agreement, and Tehran would not negotiate with the U.S. on other issues. The IRGC commander also claimed that these individuals had written to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and added that 'Trump himself recently said that we will increase the pressure on Iran so that they come to the negotiating table.' Jafari also described the North Korean leader as a revolutionary but a 'communist' who does not behave similarly to a 'Muslim revolutionary.' According to him, this is why he 'surrendered,' but the Islamic Republic will not do the same.