Iran successfully tests 2,000-kilometre-range missile
The new long-range missile is undetectable to anti-missile systems. Iran's IRNA news agency reported that the new missile, called Khiber, is the latest model of Khorramshahr missile, noting that the missile has a range of 2,000 kilometres with a 1,500-kilogram warhead, making it the heaviest warhead among Iranian missiles, being able to carry more than a tonne of ammunition.
In 2017, Iran unveiled the Khorramshahr-1 missile and in 2019 the Khorramshahr-2", both of which can reach targets 2,000 kilometres away and are 13 metres long and 1.5 metres in diameter. The second generation of these missiles is characterised by the "guided destructive warhead" (MIRV), which is a payload of different warheads, each of which can hit a different target.
In addition, this year, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Aerospace Force (IRGC), Amir Ali Hajizadeh, reported a new long-range cruise missile, called Paveh, which can reach up to 1,650 kilometres. It is also undetectable to anti-missile systems, according to Hajizadeh, as it is activated only 300 kilometres from the target and has a speed of 16,052 kilometres per hour.
Tehran has said it will continue to develop its missile programme despite criticism from the West and Israel. "Our message to Iran's enemies is that we will defend the country and its achievements. Our message to our friends is that we want to help regional stability," Iranian Defence Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani said of the Khiber missile.
The unveiling of this new long-range missile that would have the capability to reach Israel increases tensions between Iran and Israel. Since Donald Trump decided to terminate the nuclear deal with Iran five years ago, relations between the United States, Israel and Iran have been deteriorating steadily. Talks have been stalled since last year on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal that placed restrictions on Iran's uranium development. Israel is increasingly concerned about growing tensions with Iran over the nuclear programme and a senior Israeli military official said on Tuesday that "action" against Iran could be considered.
According to reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), at its Fordow nuclear plant, Iran has enriched uranium to around 80%, or almost 20 times more than the 3.67% defined by the 2015 deal. According to IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, "one thing is certain: at this point they have accumulated enough nuclear material for several nuclear weapons, not one".
With the arrival of President Joe Biden in the White House, the 2015 nuclear deal was expected to be revived, but after negotiations, no agreement has yet been reached. In September 2022, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, presented a comprehensive document for an agreement, which the United States accepted, but Iran did not. Tehran presented preconditions for acceptance of the deal, asking Washington to lift sanctions against Iran's Revolutionary Guard and suspend all other sanctions as well, to which Joe Biden has not yielded.
The harsh crackdown on protests in Iran following the death of young Mahsa Amini, who was arrested in September by the country's Morality Police, led to more than 500 deaths, as well as mass incarcerations of protesters, death sentences and torture of detainees, according to Amnesty International. Iran has increased its budget for the army, police and Revolutionary Guards by more than 20% in 2023.
Moreover, the alliance between Russia and Iran, which has grown closer in recent years, and the fact that the Middle Eastern country is selling Russia drones for use in the war in Ukraine, has further distanced the West from the Islamic Republic.
For its part, Iran continues to deny developing nuclear weapons.