Cancellation of Iran Missile Range Limit: Propaganda or Real Threat?
According to Alhurra, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has announced the cancellation of the 2,000-kilometre range limit on its ballistic missiles. The announcement comes days after the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic warned that any level of threat from the United States or Israel would face a response unrestricted by geography. Previously, the 2,000-km range covered parts of Greece, the Balkans, the entire Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, and most of Egypt, meaning that lifting the limit would reach European nations. US intelligence officials and allies including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have expressed concern over the potential dual-use of Iran space launch vehicle programme to develop ballistic missiles. Jordanian military expert Nidal Abu Zeid told Alhurra that the move is merely propaganda, as it is very difficult for Iranian missiles to pass through European countries without being intercepted, and there are no indications that Iran has revived its joint missile project with Russia that began in 2023. Another military expert, Ayman Al-Rousan, noted that there is a major difference between lifting a political restriction and possessing a proven operational capability. Nevertheless, the US Defense Intelligence Agency estimated in its April 2026 assessment that Iran still possesses thousands of missiles that could threaten regional forces, and updated reports indicate Tehran may have begun rebuilding its military infrastructure.