Iran has showcased the fourth generation of its Khorramshahr ballistic missile at a military event. It has a range of 2,000 km (1,243 miles) and can carry a 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) warhead. On Thursday, the official IRNA news agency reported that the latest version, known as Khaibar, was a solid-fuel missile that could be prepared for launch relatively quickly. It was also more accurate than previous Fateh-110 short- and medium-range rocket versions. In addition, it was reportedly thanks to a pair of small winglets located just below the warhead section that can steer the projectile to point targets.
The Khorramshahr family of missiles is based on North Korea’s Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missile or IRBM. It has been tested several times since its debut in 2016. The U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates that Iran has about 300 Shahab-1 and Shahab-2 IRBMs, which have a maximum range of 1,000 km (620 miles).
Tehran has been expanding its missile program, particularly its ballistic missiles, despite opposition from the United States and expressions of concern by European countries. The United States has warned that Iran’s missile development efforts could be used to deliver a nuclear warhead. Tehran says the program is purely defensive and for deterrence.
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But defense analysts say it would take a significant amount of time and effort for Iran to develop an intercontinental-range ballistic missile, or ICBM, capable of reaching the United States. Iran would also need to develop new liquid-propellant engines, which could take years. Iran’s primary suppliers of such engines, Russia and Ukraine, have been limiting their sales to the country in compliance with Missile Technology Control Regime guidelines.
Iran’s military officials have stressed the importance of self-sufficiency in developing missiles and other weapons systems, especially after President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear program last month. That push includes developing a domestically produced satellite-based navigation system that could be used to guide missiles. In the meantime, the Revolutionary Guards, Iran’s elite military branch, has been deploying cruise and other long-range missiles to its Shia militia partners in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. These aim to intimidate the United States, its regional rivals, and Israel. Hamas, for its part, has threatened to strike the United States if it strikes the Syrian regime. It also has backed Iran and other members of its “axis of resistance,” including Hezbollah, in their confrontation with the United States and its regional partners. This has helped it splinter the US-backed coalition fighting ISIS. The group is estimated to have more than 100,000 fighters across the region.
