Despite Progress in Negotiations, Iran Lifts Restrictions on Ballistic Missile Range and Washington Expands Blockade

Despite indications of progress in negotiations between the United States and Iran, signs of escalation continue. Washington is moving to expand the scope of the blockade imposed on Iranian ports to include new routes, while Iran announced it has lifted the restrictions it previously imposed on the range of its ballistic missiles.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Saturday that Iran had lifted the restrictions it had placed on the range of its ballistic missiles, which was set at 2,000 kilometers. This step suggests Tehran may be seeking to develop missiles capable of reaching farther targets, amid growing fears of a renewed "total war."

The IRGC announcement came days after Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned that "any type or level of threat" from the US or Israel would face a response "not limited by geographical constraints."

In response to a question during a press conference in Tehran regarding the restrictions on missile range, IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi said: "These restrictions have been lifted for us," as reported by the Associated Press.

It is not known that Iran possesses missiles with a range exceeding 2,000 kilometers, but US officials have stated that technology used in Iran's space program could be employed to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles.

On his part, Ali Balali, an advisor to the commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, said on Saturday that the range of Iranian missiles is approximately 2,000 kilometers and that they are capable of executing precise strikes.

The issue of Iran possessing long-range weapons emerged during the war last March, when US and British officials announced they had detected two Iranian ballistic missiles launched toward Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean, which is located about 4,000 kilometers from Iranian territory.

British Defense Secretary John Healey said that one of the missiles did not reach its target, while the other was intercepted before arrival. Iran denied responsibility for the attempted attack.

Washington Expands Its Blockade Against Iran
US forces have imposed a naval blockade on Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and its surroundings for months to prevent the export of Iranian oil.

The United States decided to tighten the blockade on Iran to include land routes with neighboring countries, as well as ports overlooking the Caspian Sea.

On Saturday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Brad Cooper directed the establishment of a "task force" to support ongoing US government efforts to prevent Iran from using land routes to transport advanced weapons and other materials, according to a CENTCOM statement.

Despite indications of progress in negotiations between the United States and Iran, signs of escalation continue. Washington is moving to expand the scope of the blockade imposed on Iranian ports to include new routes, while Iran announced it has lifted the restrictions it previously imposed on the range of its ballistic missiles.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Saturday that Iran had lifted the restrictions it had placed on the range of its ballistic missiles, which was set at 2,000 kilometers. This step suggests Tehran may be seeking to develop missiles capable of reaching farther targets, amid growing fears of a renewed "total war."

The IRGC announcement came days after Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned that "any type or level of threat" from the US or Israel would face a response "not limited by geographical constraints."

In response to a question during a press conference in Tehran regarding the restrictions on missile range, IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi said: "These restrictions have been lifted for us," as reported by the Associated Press.

It is not known that Iran possesses missiles with a range exceeding 2,000 kilometers, but US officials have stated that technology used in Iran's space program could be employed to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles.

On his part, Ali Balali, an advisor to the commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, said on Saturday that the range of Iranian missiles is approximately 2,000 kilometers and that they are capable of executing precise strikes.

The issue of Iran possessing long-range weapons emerged during the war last March, when US and British officials announced they had detected two Iranian ballistic missiles launched toward Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean, which is located about 4,000 kilometers from Iranian territory.

British Defense Secretary John Healey said that one of the missiles did not reach its target, while the other was intercepted before arrival. Iran denied responsibility for the attempted attack.

Washington Expands Its Blockade Against Iran
US forces have imposed a naval blockade on Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and its surroundings for months to prevent the export of Iranian oil.

The United States decided to tighten the blockade on Iran to include land routes with neighboring countries, as well as ports overlooking the Caspian Sea.

On Saturday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Brad Cooper directed the establishment of a "task force" to support ongoing US government efforts to prevent Iran from using land routes to transport advanced weapons and other materials, according to a CENTCOM statement.