Simultaneously, Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh responded to recent threats made by senior American officials, warning of retaliation against US assets in the Middle East. “If we come under attack, we will respond with force and strike all of the United States’ interests and bases,” he said.
Video: Iran unveils new ballistic missile
According to Iran, the missile can strike targets at a range of at least 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) and is capable of penetrating the US THAAD missile defense system. Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said the missile is an upgrade of the Shahid Haj Qasem missile, itself a development of the Fateh-110, and features a 500-kilogram (1,100-pound) warhead.
The report stated that the missile includes new features allowing it to maneuver and evade missile defense systems. It is reportedly fitted with an “advanced thermal guidance system” that enhances its accuracy and provides “resistance to electronic warfare measures.”
Powered by solid fuel, the missile was reportedly developed in response to the successful interceptions by Israel of Iranian missiles during the April and October 2024 attacks. According to Nasirzadeh, Israel “won’t be able to intercept more than five out of 200” such missiles. He added that the new missile has already been deployed in Iran’s underground missile bases.