Iran plans to expand missile range to reach ‘enemy located at greater distance’, spokesperson says

The IRGC spokesperson announced that Iran has concluded it must increase its missile range to reach enemies located further away, specifically citing the deployment of US forces beyond the Strait of Hormuz. The spokesperson stated that work has already begun on extending the range beyond 1,000 km, with missiles used against bases in Kuwait and naval cruise missiles cited as effective but needing greater speed and range.

The Iranian military has announced plans to expand its missile range to reach enemies located at a greater distance, according to IRGC spokesperson Mohammad Akrami-Nia. Speaking to the IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency on Sunday, Akrami-Nia stated that during the current war, Iran concluded it must increase its missile range and has already moved in this direction. He specifically referenced the deployment of US military forces outside the Strait of Hormuz as a motivating factor. The spokesperson noted that missiles used by ground forces against enemy bases in Kuwait and naval cruise missiles were effective, but the military now needs to increase their speed and range because the enemy is located up to 1,000 km away. The article notes that Iran previously claimed to have deliberately capped its missile range at 2,000 km to avoid being perceived as an international threat, but reports in March 2026 indicated Tehran attempted to strike Diego Garcia with intermediate-range ballistic missiles requiring a range far beyond 2,000 km. Iran already possesses several missiles capable of traveling more than 1,000 km, including the Khorramshahr, Sejjil, and Shahab-3. The announcement follows IRGC Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi's claims that Iranian attacks forced the US military out of the Strait of Hormuz.