Last November, Iran claimed to have built a hypersonic ballistic missile. Now the country's state television is presenting footage that is supposed to show a new cruise missile. In Washington, meanwhile, there are fears of closer cooperation between Tehran and Moscow.
Iran says it has developed a long-range cruise missile. "The cruise missile, capable of a range of 1,650 kilometers, has been added to the missile arsenal of the Islamic Republic of Iran," commander of the Revolutionary Guards Aerospace Forces General Amirali Hajizadeh said on state television, which is also said to have released first images of the new Paveh cruise missile showed.
Iran has expanded its missile program against opposition from the United States and concerns from European countries that it is purely defensive and used as a deterrent. As recently as November, the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that Iran had built a hypersonic ballistic missile, according to Hajizadeh.
"This hypersonic ballistic missile was designed to counter anti-aircraft shields," Hahizadeh said at the time. "It will be able to overcome all missile defense systems." The general added that he believes it will take decades to develop a system capable of intercepting the missile. The United States expressed skepticism about the report in November.
Hypersonic missiles can reach more than five times the speed of sound and are difficult to detect by radar systems because of their speed and because of their comparatively low flight altitude. Hypersonic missiles are also maneuverable, making them difficult to spot and intercept. In addition to Russia, the USA and China are also currently researching the technology.
The US, meanwhile, fears increasing cooperation between Iran and Russia in the defense sector. "We believe that Russia could offer Iran unprecedented defense cooperation, including on missiles, electronics and air defense," US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in Washington on Friday. "We believe that Russia could provide Iran with fighter jets," he added.
According to Kirby, Iran wants Russian help to strengthen its military in exchange for Iranian weapons that Moscow is using in the war against Ukraine. The equipment Tehran is looking for also includes helicopters, radars and training fighter jets from Russia. It's about billions of dollars in military equipment, Kirby said.
