Iran Lifts Self-Imposed Limit on Ballistic Missile Range: What Does It Mean?

Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced the cancellation of the self-imposed restriction on the range of its ballistic missiles, which stood at 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles), indicating a possible pursuit by Tehran to develop missile systems capable of reaching more distant targets, amidst growing concerns over the outbreak of another full-scale war.

In response to a question raised during a press conference in Tehran regarding the specific range of the missiles, Hossein Mohabi, the spokesperson for Iran's Revolutionary Guard, stated: "This restriction has been lifted for us."

The spokesperson did not clarify whether Iran actually possesses missiles exceeding this range, limiting his statement to saying that his country would demonstrate these capabilities practically rather than merely making declarations, as reported by the Associated Press and ABC News.

The statements by the Revolutionary Guard spokesperson came days after Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned that "any threat, regardless of its type or level, emanating from the United States or Israel, will be met with a response unbound by geographical limits."

Iran is not known to possess missiles that exceed the 2,000-kilometer barrier; however, American officials have previously indicated the possibility that Tehran could employ space program technologies to manufacture intercontinental ballistic missiles.