TEHRAN: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced on Wednesday the development of a surface-to-surface missile whose stated range would put Israel within reach.

The Sepahnews website said the missile was named Khaybarchekan after a victorious battle fought by Holy Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) in the seventh century.

Armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri described it as a strategic, “long-range” missile. The Sepahnews said the missile has a range of 1,450 kilometres, runs on solid fuel and is capable of penetrating anti-missile systems.

It was unveiled during a visit to a surface-to-surface missile base of the Guards’ air force, with the chief of the aerospace department Amirali Hajizadeh present.

“Its manoeuvrability and extreme speed allow it to reach targets within a radius of 1,450 kilometres,” the website said.

Iran has the largest arsenal of missiles in the Middle East.

On December 24, it fired 16 ballistic missiles to conclude military drills described by generals as a warning to Israel. The Jewish state is located little more than 1,000 kilometres from Iran’s western frontier.

Bagheri said on Monday that Iran was “self-sufficient in terms of military equipment”, noting it could become one of the world’s largest arms exporters if US sanctions were lifted.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) says Iran has about 20 types of ballistic missiles as well as cruise missiles and drones.

Their capabilities vary, with the Qiam-1 having a range of 800 kilometres and the Ghadr-1 able to reach 1,800 kilometres.

The IISS, a London-based think tank, says Iran’s current priority is to increase the accuracy of its missiles.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2022