BREAKING: Iranian Parliamentarians Demand Khamenei Order Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Development

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According to the Jerusalem Post, a group of Iranian parliamentarians has urged Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to authorize the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), marking a significant push by hardline figures to expand the country’s strategic military capabilities following months of regional conflict and escalating tensions with the United States and its allies.

According to reports in Iranian media, 85 members of parliament signed a letter addressed to Khamenei in which they expressed support for Iran’s military establishment and defense industries. The lawmakers also questioned the reliability of Washington in ongoing diplomatic efforts and argued that Iran must continue strengthening its deterrence capabilities.

In the letter, the parliamentarians declared that they would “continue to support our military forces and defense industries until the day comes when the range of our missiles reaches the offices of the killers of the deputy of the Imam of the Age and the martyred Khamenei.”

The appeal comes amid growing debate within Iran over the future direction of its missile program. For years, Iranian officials maintained that the country had voluntarily limited the range of its ballistic missiles to approximately 2,000 kilometers. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that position earlier this year, saying Tehran was not pursuing longer-range missile systems.

However, questions about the true extent of Iran’s missile capabilities intensified after reports emerged in March that Tehran launched two ballistic missiles toward the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. The base is located roughly 4,000 kilometers from Iranian territory, far beyond the range Tehran had previously acknowledged.

The Wall Street Journal reported that one missile failed during flight while another was intercepted before reaching its target, resulting in no damage to the strategic facility. U.S. officials cited in the report described the launch as Iran’s first known operational attempt to strike a target at such a distance.

Military analysts said the attempted strike demonstrated a capability that could potentially place parts of Europe within range of Iranian missile systems. The incident also fueled speculation that Tehran has been working on technologies that could eventually support the development of true intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The lawmakers’ demand reflects a broader shift among Iranian hardliners who argue that recent military confrontations have shown the necessity of extending the country’s strategic reach. Advocates of the proposal contend that longer-range missiles would enhance deterrence against adversaries and reduce the likelihood of future attacks on Iranian territory.

Critics, however, warn that any move toward ICBM development would likely trigger new international sanctions and deepen concerns about the potential military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. Western governments have long viewed advances in Iran’s ballistic missile technology as a major security challenge, particularly if paired with future nuclear capabilities.

For now, it remains unclear whether Khamenei will endorse the proposal. Yet the public call from dozens of lawmakers highlights the growing influence of voices within Iran advocating a more expansive and ambitious missile strategy at a time of heightened regional instability and strategic uncertainty.