Seyed M. Marandi: Iran's New Missile Range Puts Europe on Alert

Summary

In an interview with Glenn Diesen, Seyed Mohammad Marandi argued that Iran’s approach to negotiations with the United States has hardened, shaped by what he sees as the failure of the 2015 nuclear agreement and the US withdrawal from it. He said Iran learned that making concessions from a position of flexibility only encouraged Washington to demand more. He also described the talks preceding the recent “12-day war” as deceptive and said Iran now expects negotiations and military pressure to occur side by side.

Marandi portrayed Iran as better prepared for conflict than it was in 2015. He said it has strengthened its air defenses, underground facilities, command structures, missiles, and drones, and that decision-making is now more centralized. He cited Iranian attacks on US-linked military and radar sites, along with pressure on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, as signs of a more forceful retaliation strategy.

A major focus was Iran’s missile range. Marandi said Iran had previously kept its missiles within a self-imposed limit of about 2,000 kilometers, but that the limit had been lifted or could be expanded to around 4,000 kilometers. He suggested Iran could make technical changes quickly, potentially bringing European sites and Diego Garcia within range. He argued that if European countries provide bases or logistical support for attacks on Iran, they could face retaliation against military facilities used by US forces.

Marandi warned that Gulf states hosting or supporting US military operations could also be drawn into the conflict. He said Iran regards their assistance—including access to bases and refueling—as involvement in the war. He argued that escalation could disrupt regional energy production and damage the global economy, and portrayed Gulf governments as vulnerable to domestic and economic pressure if the conflict continues.

On Russia and China, Marandi said Iran had shared its experience in evading sanctions and had helped Russia with drone technology. He believes Russia and China are also assisting Iran, though he acknowledged that the details are secret. He described their cooperation as serving broader strategic interests, since Western gains in Iran or elsewhere in Asia could threaten both countries.

Marandi also criticized Western portrayals of Iran, saying films, memoirs, think tanks, and other media have fostered a distorted image of the country. He argued that depictions of Iran as irrational or barbaric make it easier for Western audiences to accept violence against it and can lead policymakers to underestimate its resilience. He illustrated this argument with examples of stories he considers false or misleading, including claims about Iranian children being given “keys to heaven” during the Iran–Iraq War.

Overall, Marandi’s central warning was that adversaries who underestimate Iran or assume it will quickly collapse risk miscalculation and wider escalation. He argued that a prolonged conflict would harm Iran, the Gulf region, Europe, and the global economy—and could threaten the stability of governments involved.

Presenters and Contributors

• Glenn Diesen — presenter and interviewer
• Seyed Mohammad Marandi — guest and contributor