Iran’s Defensive Missile Strategy: A Response to Misconceptions

In a recent interview with India Today Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi addressed the controversial statements made by the President of the United States regarding Iran’s missile capabilities. The host prompted Araghchi to respond to claims that Iran is developing missiles capable of reaching American territory emphasizing that such assertions cannot be compared to the remarks of previous U.S. presidents.

Araghchi firmly rejected the allegations stating that the narrative surrounding Iran’s missile program is rooted in misinformation. He clarified that Iran does not pursue the development of long-range missiles explicitly limiting their range to 2000 kilometers. This strategic decision is motivated solely by the need for self-defense underscoring the defensive nature of Iran’s missile arsenal which is designed for deterrence.

The Foreign Minister reiterated that the missiles are intended to protect Iran’s sovereignty asserting that the country was not the aggressor in recent conflicts. He pointed out that the confrontations initiated by Israel and subsequently by the United States compelled Iran to act in self-defense. While such actions may be deemed illegal by some Araghchi emphasized that they fall within the legitimate framework of self-defense from Iran’s perspective.