Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared the termination of its self-imposed 2,000km limit on ballistic missile range, potentially broadening the scope of its military capabilities beyond the Middle East. The announcement was made by IRGC spokesman Brigadier-General Hossein Mohebbi during a press conference in Tehran, although he did not confirm if Iran already possesses missiles exceeding this limit. This decision is viewed as a shift towards an offensive military strategy, following Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's warning against any US or Israeli threats beyond geographical boundaries. The move comes amid escalating diplomatic efforts to end the US-Israel conflict with Iran and Trump's recent optimistic statements about potential peace talks.
The lifting of the limit may allow Iran to position some rocket launchers in its eastern regions, potentially enabling them to reach Israel with a longer range. Countries within the current 2,000km range, such as Gulf states, have already been subjected to repeated Iranian missile attacks since the US and Israel initiated hostilities in late February. The expanded range could also pose a threat to US bases in the Indian Ocean and Europe, as well as key European allies like the UK, France, Germany, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
Europe's relationship with Iran has been strained due to disagreements over Iran's nuclear program and regional geopolitical ambitions. The European Union's designation of the IRGC as a "terrorist" group and allowing US forces to use European bases have provoked Iranian responses, including repeated warnings to countries like Bulgaria regarding US aircraft on their soil. As tensions escalate, it remains uncertain how this development will impact regional stability and international relations.