An Iranian academic has sparked outrage after openly calling for Tehran to acquire intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and long-range submarines capable of striking major U.S. cities.

Dr. Sam Torabi argued that Iran’s current policy of nuclear ambiguity is insufficient, insisting that the country must pursue weapons capable of reaching Washington, Chicago, and Houston.

In his most alarming statement, Torabi warned that if Iran’s leadership were threatened, “New York would cease to exist the next day.”

While his remarks do not represent official Iranian government policy, they highlight the increasingly aggressive rhetoric from figures close to Iran’s strategic discourse. Analysts warn that such statements risk deepening tensions between Tehran and Washington, especially at a time when nuclear negotiations remain stalled.