Iran unveils ballistic missile with 2,000km range — RT World News
The new ‘Kheibar’ rocket was presented at a ceremony attended by Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani
Iran has introduced a new ballistic missile codenamed “Kheibar” which is said to have a range of over 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers) and carry a payload of 1.5 tons.
According to a report by Iranian state media IRNA, the rocket needs relatively little time to be prepared for launch, meaning it can be used as both a strategic and tactical weapon.
The country’s Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, who was present at the unveiling ceremony on Thursday, said the missile was the result of a years-long effort by its Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO). The official also noted that the “Kheibar” rocket can penetrate enemy air defenses thanks to the anti-radar equipment on board.
Ashtiani pointed out that Tehran is “take steps to equip the armed forces in various fields of missiles, drones, air defense,“with more weapon systems to reveal to the public down the line.
Last February, Amirali Hajizadeh, the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Aerospace Force, announced that the Islamic Republic had at its disposal a cruise missile with a range of 1,650 kilometers (1,025 miles). Iranian state television reported at the time that this rocket was called “Paveh”.
Last fall, the same official claimed that Tehran had developed a hypersonic missile – to which the United States reacted with skepticism.
It is believed that currently only a handful of countries, such as the United States, China and Russia, have the technology to build such advanced weapons.
Iran has been actively developing its missile capabilities since the 1980s. While the United States and some European countries have repeatedly expressed concern over the Islamic Republic’s program, Tehran insists its efforts on the ground are defensive in nature.
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