Iran's Foreign Minister: Iran Has Limited Missile Range to Within 2,000 Kilometers
On February 25, Xinhua News Agency reported from Tehran (reporters Shadati and Chen Xiao) that Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif refuted the U.S. claim that Iran is developing long-range missiles capable of reaching the United States, stating that Iran has limited the range of its missiles to within 2,000 kilometers.
The report said that Zarif, in an interview with the "Today India" newspaper on the same day, described the claim that Iran is developing long-range missiles capable of reaching the U.S. as "fake news," and that Trump is a victim of "fake news." He stated that Iran has deliberately limited the range of its missiles to within 2,000 kilometers, and these missiles are purely for defense and deterrence, not a global threat.
Zarif said that Iran's missile program aims to maintain national security, citing the war in June of last year as an example, explaining that Iran was acting in self-defense at that time. He accused Israel and the U.S. of provoking war, asserting that Israel is the only country in the region seeking conflict. Iran will continue to maintain its defensive capabilities.
Zarif stated that Iran believes U.S. policy is based on misunderstandings and external influences, rather than a result of direct dialogue with Iran.
Zarif said that the U.S. view of Iran is not based on direct understanding, but rather on external narratives, "because they know nothing about Iran and the Iranian people, and they are blinded by false information and propaganda, most of which comes from Israeli lobbying groups."
Zarif further stated that if the U.S. changes its policy, Iran is still willing to open a new path for relationship development, "the only way to dialogue is to speak to the Iranian people with respectful language; if they try this language, they will see results. We will also speak to them in the same language."
Zarif arrived in Geneva, Switzerland, on the 25th and will hold the third round of indirect negotiations with U.S. representatives regarding Iran's nuclear program on the 26th. U.S. President Trump stated on the 24th: "They (Iran) have developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our overseas bases, and they are developing missiles that can soon reach the United States."
Iran's Foreign Minister Zarif announced that Iran has restricted its missile range to within 2000 kilometers, countering U.S. claims of developing long-range missiles capable of reaching the U.S. He emphasized that the missile program is for defense and deterrence. Zarif criticized U.S. policies as based on misunderstandings and expressed Iran's willingness to engage in respectful dialogue with the U.S. This statement was made on February 25, 2023, in Tehran, prior to indirect negotiations in Switzerland regarding Iran's nuclear program.
- Iran has limited its missile range to 2000 kilometers.
- Iran's Foreign Minister refuted claims of developing missiles that can reach the U.S.
- The missile program is described as purely defensive and deterrent.
- Iran's stance is that U.S. perceptions are based on misinformation.
- Iran is willing to engage in respectful dialogue with the U.S.