The deputy head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned that it may increase the range of missiles to over 2,000 km – enough to strike Europe.
Brigadier General Hossein Salami said: "If we have kept the range of our missiles to 2000 kilometres, it's not due to lack of technology – we are following a strategic doctrine.
"So far we have felt that Europe is not a threat, so we did not increase the range of our missiles.
"But if Europe wants to turn into a threat, we will increase the range of our missiles."
His comments come after France called for an "uncompromising" dialogue with the Islamic Republic about its ballistic missile programme.
But Iran has repeatedly said its missile programme is defensive and it will not negotiate on it.
The United States has accused Tehran of supplying Yemen's Houthi rebels with a missile that was fired into Saudi Arabia in July.
It has called on the United Nations to hold the country accountable for violating two UN Security Council resolutions.
Iran has denied supplying Houthis with missiles and weapons.
Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, of the Revolutionary Guards, said last month that Iran's 2,000-km missile range could already cover "most of American interest and forces" within the region.
Jafari said the ballistic missile range was based on the limits set by the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is the head of armed forces.
The country has one of the Middle East's largest missile programmes, including precision-guided missiles that could strike Israel.
The two countries are enemies with no diplomatic relations.
The US – a key Israel ally – has said Iran's missile programme is a breach of international law because the missiles could carry nuclear warheads in the future. READ MORE
