Iran has joined North Korea in testing ballistic missile in a flagrant show of defiance to the United States.
Iran successfully test-launch of the country’s new ballistic missile, Khorramshahr, with a range of 2,000 km a few hours after it was unveiled during a military parade in the capital city of Tehran on Friday.”
Iran’s defense minister said Saturday that Khorramshahr is an strategic missile and is a symbol of Iranian scientists’ capability, official IRNA news agency reported.
“Khorramshahr with an effectual range and unique qualities features an agile missile,” Brigadier General Amir Hatami was quoted as saying.
The strategic missile can cross the enemy’s air defense systems and can be guided from the launch time to the moment when it hits the enemy’s target, he said.
The missile was unveiled on Friday morning during a military parade in Tehran attended by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and senior military officials.
With a range of 2,000 km, it is capable of carrying multiple warheads, said Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, a senior commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Division. “The missile has become smaller in size (compared to other Iranian ballistic missiles) and more tactical, and it will be operational in the near future,” Hajizadeh told reporters on Friday.
According to Tasnim news agency, the missile is able to carry a multiple independently tar reentry vehicle (MIRV) weighing 1,800 kilograms.
During the parade on Friday, Tehran also displayed other ballistic missiles, which reportedly have a range of 1,300-2,000 km.
On Saturday, Hatami stressed that Iran will wait for the permission of no country to boost its deterrent power, and will continue to produce different missiles and warfare systems. “As long as some (of the powers) talk in a threatening language, Iran’s strengthening of its defense power will continue,” Hatami said.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the nuclear deal signed between Tehran and major world powers including Washington in 2015, saying that he believes Iran is violating the agreement, which restricted Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for the easing of economic sanctions.
Iran has denied that its missiles would be used to carry a nuclear warhead.
