SAEDNEWS: In the wake of Israel’s bruising 12-day war with Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded Iran cap its missile range at 480 kilometers—a move seen by many analysts as both an admission of strategic failure and a signal of Israel’s desire to restore deterrence through diplomacy.
According to Saed News, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s latest demand—that Iran reduce its ballistic missile range to 480 kilometers—has ignited fierce debate following the unprecedented destruction Israel endured in its brief but intense war with Iran last month. In a Fox News interview, Netanyahu framed the request as a precondition for any future deal, despite the fact that the U.S.–Iran nuclear negotiations, already tenuous, collapsed following Israel’s surprise attack on June 13.
Netanyahu’s proposal, analysts suggest, betrays an unspoken acknowledgement of Iran’s retaliatory capabilities. Though Israel initiated the war with the stated aim of dismantling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, the outcome revealed a sobering vulnerability: over 50,000 buildings destroyed, critical energy hubs damaged, and Israel’s reputation as a fortress state eroded.
Mahshadollah Shamsolvaezin, a senior Iranian analyst aligned with reformist factions, told Saed News that Netanyahu’s rhetoric signals Israel’s intent to neutralize Iran’s defensive capabilities while preserving its own ability to strike unimpeded. “Israel wants immunity while waging war. Iran has learned that deterrence is the only language Tel Aviv understands,” he said.
Iran’s missile arsenal spans from short-range rockets to long-range systems capped at 2,000 kilometers under a directive from Ayatollah Khamenei—an apparent gesture to avoid provoking Western powers. Yet that range covers all Israeli territory, making Tehran’s deterrent posture clear. Shamsolvaezin noted that no international law limits missile range, and under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Iran is entitled to maintain robust self-defense capabilities.
Tehran remains skeptical of any lasting ceasefire. Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh declared on Monday that Iran is actively preparing for renewed hostilities. Meanwhile, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, visiting an IRGC Aerospace facility, praised the effectiveness of Iran’s missile retaliation and warned that any future aggression would trigger an “even stronger response.”
“The real message,” Shamsolvaezin concluded, “is that Iran still holds its strongest cards—and it’s not afraid to play them.”
