Iran Eyes Missiles Capable of Reaching US

According to an Iranian official, Iran aims to develop missiles with a range of up to 15,000km that would be capable of striking the continental United States. Sayyed Abdolnabi Musavifard, a representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader, made the statement during Friday prayers, according to the Unian news agency.

Musavifard also spoke out sharply against Israel, leading chants of “revenge, revenge” and expressing hope that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be “destroyed” by Iranian forces. He also said Iran’s current missiles can already reach “deep into Jerusalem”.

Tehran possesses an extensive arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles, is developing drones and hypersonic systems and has built a network of underground missile complexes. However, achieving a range of 15,000km would represent a significant technological leap.

Analysts point out that it will not be easy for Iran to transition directly from its current medium-range ballistic missiles to a full-fledged intercontinental ballistic missile. They consider the development of a missile with a range slightly above 5,500km, the threshold at which missiles are classified as intercontinental, to be a more realistic intermediate step.

Moreover, a range of 15,000km would be greater than what Tehran needs to strike the entire United States.

(mja)