Iranian parliamentarians demand Khamenei order intercontinental ballistic missile development

A group of 85 Iranian officials has formally requested that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei initiate the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). The letter, reported by the reformist newspaper Asriran, also expressed condolences for Khamenei's father's death and questioned the trustworthiness of Washington in ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

The parliamentarians stated their continued support for Iran's military and defense industries, aiming for missile capabilities that could reach perceived enemies. They referenced a desire for a response that is more than "an eye for an eye," asserting that "the enemy must know that it will be a head for an eye." Experts from the Institute for the Study of War interpret this rhetoric as a direct call for developing missiles with ranges extending to the United States.

This demand comes amid ongoing ceasefire talks, with concerns that favorable financial terms for Iran could provide the resources and longevity needed to achieve its long-range missile goals. Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Yaakov Amidror, a former advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, noted that developing missiles capable of reaching the U.S. has been a long-standing objective for Iran.

Iran's current long-range missile systems, including the Khorramshahr, Sejjil, and Shahab-3, are reported to have a maximum range of around 2,000 km. However, recent reports from The Wall Street Journal indicated that Iran launched ballistic missiles toward the U.S.-UK military base on Diego Garcia, approximately 4,000 km from Iran. One missile reportedly failed in flight, while the other was intercepted by U.S. forces.

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We believe that to end the cycle of terror by the so-called ‘Al-Epstein,’ who adhere to no moral, human, or international principles, it is not merely an eye for an eye; rather, the enemy must know that it will be a head for an eye.