Did the Obama Administration Consent to Iran’s Development of Missiles That Can Hit Israel but Not Europe?

Up until 2013, the Islamic Republic was developing ballistic missiles with a range of up to 5,000 kilometers, which could reach Europe and even be used against the United States. Yet, following the negotiations concluded in Geneva in November 2013—the interim agreement that led to the 2015 nuclear deal—Iranian officials ceased boasting about developing missiles with a range exceeding 2,000 kilometers. Such missiles, like the one tested last week, could hit any part of Israel, but could not target Europe. Examining the statements made in Iranian media, A. Savyon, Yigal Carmon, and U. Kafash see evidence that Tehran made an unreported pledge to the U.S. not to develop any missiles that can reach farther than 2,000 kilometers: