Iran’s ballistic missile program has come under renewed scrutiny following its missile attacks on Israeli targets on October 1. The Office of the U.S. Director of National Intelligence identifies Iran as possessing the largest ballistic missile arsenal in the Middle East.
Key Missiles in Iran’s Arsenal
According to the semi-official Iranian Student News Agency (ISNA), Iran possesses nine types of ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israel. Among the most prominent:
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- Sejil: Capable of traveling over 17,000 kilometers per hour, with a range of up to 2,500 kilometers.
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- Kheibar: Boasts a range of 2,000 kilometers.
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- Haj Qasem: With a reach of 1,400 kilometers.
The Arms Control Association, a U.S.-based organization, lists other notable missiles, including:
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- Shahab-1: Range of approximately 300 kilometers.
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- Zolfaghar: Reaches 700 kilometers.
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- Shahab-3: Covers 800-1,000 kilometers.
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- Emad-1: Under development, expected range of 2,000 kilometers.
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- Sejil (also under development): Estimated range of 1,500-2,500 kilometers.
Types of Fuel and Launch Platforms
Fabian Hinz, an expert on Iran’s missile capabilities, reports that Iran’s missile strike on October 1 involved both solid- and liquid-fueled missiles. Solid-fueled missiles, more advanced and mobile, were launched from angled mobile launchers, while liquid-fueled missiles were deployed from vertical launchers. Some of the solid-fueled missiles are believed to include Haj Qasem, Kheibar Shikan, and Fattah-1, while liquid-fueled types reportedly include Emad, Badr, and Khorramshahr.
Missile Strategy and Advancements
Iran emphasizes that its ballistic missiles serve as critical tools for deterrence and potential retaliation against the U.S., Israel, and other regional adversaries. Tehran insists it does not seek nuclear weapons.
A report from 2023 by Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies highlights Iran’s development of underground missile silos with sophisticated transport and launch systems, as well as underground missile production and storage facilities. The report also notes that in June 2020, Iran launched its first ballistic missile from an underground site.
In June, IRNA, Iran’s state news agency, introduced Iran’s first hypersonic missile, capable of flying at speeds five times that of sound and maneuvering unpredictably, making interception difficult. Iran’s missile program has reportedly benefited from North Korean and Russian designs, as well as Chinese assistance.
Regional Missile Strikes
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) frequently utilizes its missiles in regional confrontations:
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- Kurdistan: In January, Iran claimed a missile strike against an Israeli intelligence site in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region.
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- Syria: Iran has also targeted ISIS fighters in Syria and launched strikes on Baluch militants based in Pakistan.
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- Saudi Arabia: In 2019, drones and missiles attacked Saudi oil facilities; both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia attributed the attack to Iran, a claim Tehran denies.
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- Iraq: In 2020, Iran fired missiles at U.S.-led forces in Iraq, including the Ain al-Asad airbase, in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
Supporting the Houthis in Yemen
The U.S. accuses Iran of supplying missiles to Yemen’s Houthi movement, which has launched attacks on Israeli and Red Sea targets, particularly to support Palestinians in Gaza. Iran denies arming the Houthis.
On September 24, Reuters reported that Iran had brokered secret talks between Russia and the Houthis to provide the group with anti-ship missiles.
Hezbollah and Syria: Iran’s Allies in Resistance
Iran is a key supporter of Hezbollah in Lebanon, which claims the ability to transform thousands of missiles into precision-guided weapons. In 2022, the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah stated that cooperation with Iranian experts enabled Hezbollah to upgrade its arsenal.
In Syria, Iran has deployed missiles to aid President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. It has also transferred some missile production capabilities to underground facilities in Syria, where Syrian and allied forces have learned missile manufacturing techniques.
Iran’s extensive missile capabilities reflect its commitment to regional influence and its role in the “resistance front,” posing a formidable strategic challenge to Israeli and U.S. military dominance in the region.
