Iran unveils new ballistic missile with high accuracy and range

Middle East, News February 9, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Iran unveiled its new “Khaybar Shekan” precision-guided ballistic missile with a range of 900 miles (1,450 kilometers) on February 9.

According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, the missile was displayed, at the presence of Iran’s Chief of Staff of Armed Forces Major General, Mohammad Bagheri, a day after indirect talks resumed in Vienna to salvage the 2015 Iran nuclear deal with world powers.

The ceremony was also attended by the Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Division, Brigadier General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, and several top military officials and commanders.

According to the IRGC, the Khaybar Shekan missile is capable of hitting its designated targets with pinpoint accuracy with greater agility than Iran’s other missiles. The missile is capable of targeting Israel as well as U.S. military bases in the region.

“The strategic weapon is a third-generation long-range missile developed by the IRGC that is propelled by solid fuel and is capable of penetrating missile shields with high maneuverability,” Tasnim news agency reported.

“The modified design of Kheibarshekan has reduced its weight by a third compared to the similar missiles, while its preparation time for launch has decreased to one-sixth of the ordinary ones,” the news agency added.

*^{Iran unveils Khaybar Shekan missile. (Image Credit: IFPnews/video grab IRIA)}*

The ballistic missile has a predetermined trajectory and target, and its guidance system can adjust its course to ensure it gets as close to the predetermined target as possible, Iranian officials said.

According to Iranian state media, “This long-range missile is domestically manufactured by the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) … It has high accuracy and is propelled by solid fuel and is capable of penetrating missile shields.”

On February 9, Iran’s top security official Ali Shamkhani posted a message on his Twitter saying: “Voices from the U.S. government show there is no coherence in that country to make political decisions in the direction of advancing the Vienna talks.”

Last week, the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives urged President Biden to focus on Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and expressed concerns regarding Tehran’s quest to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile that could potentially target the U.S. homeland as well as its allies in Europe.