TEHRAN, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Iran's military said Tuesday that Iran does not need to increase the maximum range of its ballistic missiles beyond the current 2,000 km, the Tehran Times reported.
"All are aware that we are able to increase the range of our missiles, but our policy is to keep the range within 2,000 km, and we can reach our strategic objectives within this range," Mohammad Ali Jafari, chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), was quoted as saying.
Jafari also denounced what he called the "U.S. threat to weaken Iran's defense and missile capabilities."
U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from Iran's historic nuclear deal in May and threatened to reimpose sanctions on Tehran eased under the 2015 nuclear deal.
Trump stated that the nuclear deal could not bring peace to the Middle East region, as Iran's ballistic missile program is not covered.
Over the past weeks, the Iranians have been divided into two camps, as some believe that Iran should negotiate with the U.S. over a series of issues, while others disagree.
Jafari strongly criticized those in Iran who proposed direct talks between Tehran and Washington to reach a new deal.
"If these people cannot be called crazy, they are misguided," he added.
