An Iranian lawmaker and an official in the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) warned on Sunday that European countries are within range of Iranian missiles, remarks made as Britain, France and Germany signal they are ready to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran.
“All possible sanctions have already been imposed on our country. The unilateral and multilateral sanctions by the US and Europe are already at their peak. So, activating the snapback mechanism will bring no new negative consequences for Iran’s economy and is merely a political move,” said Amir Hayat-Moqaddam, a member of parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee.
He told the Iran Observer website that the Europeans are trying to extend the deadline for triggering the snapback mechanism. “If this happens, there will be no legal basis to reinstate resolutions canceled by Resolution 2231. Then, Iran will not be listed under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.”
Asked about a possible US attack on his country, he said: “Perhaps our next missile will hit Washington directly. We can target America from the sea.”
According to Hayat-Moqaddam, the Aerospace Force of the IRGC has been working for 20 years on making it possible to strike America from Iranian ships. Even if we have not yet reached this technology, it remains within our grasp.”
In the same context, he added: “All European countries are in our range. With our existing missiles we can strike France, Germany, the UK, and all of Western and Eastern Europe.”
The E3 — the UK, France and Germany — have warned they are prepared to trigger snapback unless Iran returns to nuclear talks by the end of August, which would restore UN sanctions lifted under the 2015 deal.
On July 21, Iran conducted a suborbital test with the Qased satellite launch vehicle to evaluate new technologies developed by the country's space industry.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that “the results of this test will be used to improve the performance of the country's satellites and space systems.”
The announcement came four days ahead of talks between Iranian and EU officials in Istanbul. Observers said the launch of Qased could be a message for European leaders who fear Iran's space missile program was, for years, a cover for developing an intercontinental ballistic missile.
Last week, the IRGC ordered its forces to maintain a state of readiness against potential aggression.
For its part, Israel on Sunday raised its military and security readiness in anticipation of a confrontation with Iran while the Israeli Army Chief of Staff conducted a test exercise to evaluate readiness to counter a cross-border assault.
Israel is concerned about reports from Western intelligence agencies, mostly those in Europe, saying Tehran and Beijing are cooperating to rebuild Iran’s defensive capabilities after the 12-day war with Israel.
Senior Israeli officials said the Chinese intentions are not entirely clear and that Israel relayed messages to Beijing, the Ynet news website said.
“They said China did not confirm that it would replenish Iran's missile stores, but the matter was of great concern and could have significant strategic implications,” it added.
Meanwhile, Iran’s General Staff of the Armed Forces warned on Saturday that Tehran will deliver a far stronger response to any future attacks by the United States or Israel.
“In the event of any miscalculation or satanic action, what prevented us from wider operations during the 12-day imposed war will no longer apply,” the military warned.
It added: “This time they will face new surprises and far more crushing blows.”
