Iran threatens to increase ballistic missile range so they can reach Europe
A Qiam missile displayed by the Revolutionary Guard in September 2012 (Picture: AP) Iran has threate..
Iran has threatened to increase the range of their missiles to more than 2,000km so that they can hit Europe.
The threat came from Brigadier General Hossein Salami, the deputy head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
France called for an ‘uncompromising’ dialogue with the country about its ballistic missile programme, and for a possible negotiation over the issue separate from Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
In response, Iran repeated that its missile programme is defensive and non-negotiable.
According to Fars news agency, Solami said: ‘If we have kept the range of our missiles to 2,000km, it’s not due to a lack of technology. We are following a strategic doctrine.
Dozens of cows killed after being thrown into traffic in cattle lorry crash
‘So far we have felt that Europe is not a threat, so we did not increase the range of our missiles.
‘But if Europe wants to turn into a threat, we will increase the range of our missiles.’
Last month Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, the head of the Revolutionary Guards, said the 2,000km missile range could cover ‘most of American interest and forces’ within the region, so they didn’t need to extend it.
He added that the ballistic missile range was based on the limits set by the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is head of the armed forces.
Cat named after Notorious B.I.G survives being shot multiple times in head
The US claims that Iran’s missile programme is a breach of international law, because the missiles could carry nuclear warheads in the future.
Iran denies it is seeking nuclear weapons and says its nuclear programme is for civilian uses only.
