FLASH NEWS
What are the capabilities of Iran's ballistic missiles?
2026-02-04 23:34:39 / BOTA
Iran, which is expected to resume nuclear talks with the United States on Friday in Oman, has repeatedly warned that its powerful ballistic missile program - one of the largest in the Middle East - is a "red line" in any negotiations.
The most recent test of Iranian missile capabilities occurred during the 12-day war in June 2025 with Israel, during which Tehran launched barrages of ballistic missiles towards Israel, causing dozens of casualties and destroying dozens of buildings and apartment blocks in the center and north of the country.
According to an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and the AEI Critical Threats project, Israel “likely destroyed about a third of Iranian missile launchers” during the conflict.
Iranian officials have repeatedly stated that the country has recovered from the damage of the war and that its capabilities are stronger than ever.
What are ballistic missiles?
A ballistic missile is a rocket-propelled weapon that is guided during the initial phase of liftoff but then follows a free-fall trajectory under the influence of gravity for most of its flight. It can carry conventional or potentially biological, chemical, or nuclear explosive warheads.
Western countries view Iran's ballistic missile arsenal as a conventional threat to Middle Eastern stability and as a potential means of delivering nuclear weapons if Tehran were to develop them. Iran denies it is seeking to build atomic bombs.
Types and ranges of Iranian missiles
According to the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Iran has the largest stockpile of ballistic missiles in the Middle East. Their range is limited by Iran itself to 2,000 kilometers – a distance that, according to Iranian officials, is enough to cover Israel.
Many of the missile bases are located in and around Tehran. At least five underground "missile cities" have been identified in various provinces, including Kermanshah, Semnan, and areas near the Gulf.
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Iran possesses several long-range missiles that can reach Israel, including: Sejil – 2,000 km, Emad – 1,700 km, Ghadr – 2,000 km, Shahab-3 – 1,300 km, Khorramshahr – 2,000 km, Hoveyzeh – 1,350 km.
The semi-official ISNA news agency published a graphic in April 2025 showing nine Iranian missiles that it said could hit Israel. Among them: Sejil, with a speed of over 17,000 km/h and a range of 2,500 km, Kheibar, with a range of 2,000 km, Haj Qasem, with a range of 1,400 km
The Arms Control Association says the arsenal also includes: Shahab-1 – around 300 km, Zolfaghar – 700 km, Shahab-3 – 800–1,000 km, Emad-1 (under development) – up to 2,000 km, Sejil (model under development) – 1,500–2,500 km
Missile strategy and development
Iran says ballistic missiles serve as a key deterrent and retaliatory tool against the US, Israel and other regional targets.
According to a 2023 report by Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Iran is expanding its underground missile depots, including transport and launch systems, as well as production and storage centers. In 2020, Iran claimed to have launched a ballistic missile from underground for the first time.
The report notes that years of reverse engineering and missile production have enabled Iran to use lighter composite materials to increase flight range.
In June 2023, Iran unveiled what it called its first domestically produced hypersonic ballistic missile. Hypersonic missiles fly at speeds over five times the speed of sound and follow complex trajectories, making them difficult to intercept.
According to the Arms Control Association, Iran's missile program is based largely on North Korean and Russian designs, with assistance from China.
Iran also possesses cruise missiles, including the Kh-55, capable of carrying nuclear warheads and with a range of up to 3,000 km.
In June, Iran responded to U.S. involvement in Israel's air war against Iran by launching missiles at the U.S. Al Udeid air base in Qatar. Tehran had given advance warning of the attack and there were no casualties. Washington declared a ceasefire hours later.
The Revolutionary Guards also used missiles in January 2024, claiming to have struck the Israeli spy headquarters in the autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq and Islamic State militants in Syria.
Iran has also announced missile attacks on bases of a Baloch militant group in Pakistan.
Saudi Arabia and the US have said they believe Iran was behind the drone and missile attacks on key Saudi oil facilities in 2019, allegations that Tehran has denied.
In 2020, Iran fired missiles at US-led forces in Iraq, including the al-Asad air base, in retaliation for the drone strike that killed General Qassem Soleimani. /Reuters
Happening now...
ideas
Where are we going?
Nga Sidi Hasanaj
They did not hinder Basha, but the political rotation
Nga Ermal Peçi
Hasimja kërkon të
Nga Neritan Vladi
top
Alfa recipes
TRENDING 
services
- POLICE129
- STREET POLICE126
- AMBULANCE112
- FIREFIGHTER128