The official news agency of Iran, IRNA, has published information on the weapons systems used to attack Israel on April 14. The article emphasizes that the strike was a response to the Israeli Defense Forces’ (IDF) attack on Damascus on April 1, which led to the deaths of seven senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officers, including the commander of IRGC forces in Syria and Lebanon.
IRNA introduces several new Iranian ballistic missiles and drones that were used in the strike. The Khaybar-Shekan solid-propellant missile is a third-generation Iranian ballistic missile that is based on mobile launchers and can be launched quickly. Its latest modification has a range of 1,800 kilometers and is praised for its accuracy and maneuverability.
The Emad medium-range ballistic missile, introduced in 2015, is the first Iranian development with a maneuverable warhead. It has a range of 1,700 kilometers, is 15.5 meters long, weighs 17 tons, and has a warhead of 750 kg. The missile’s flight is controlled immediately before the explosion.
The newest Paveh cruise missile was put into service in 2023 and has a range of 1,650 kilometers. It focuses on mass production and reduced production costs. IRNA describes the Shahed-136 unmanned loitering munition as a “simplified cruise missile” that can act as a decoy target to force enemy air defenses to use expensive means to intercept it.
According to IRNA, the total cost of all missiles and drones used in the strike did not exceed $50 million, while Israeli air defense systems cost $1.3 billion along with comparable amounts spent by Israeli allies. IRNA highlights that Russian and Iranian intelligence gained valuable information for future confrontations with enemies.
In conclusion, Iran’s military capabilities are constantly evolving as they continue to develop new weapons systems for their arsenal. These developments highlight their growing power as they continue to expand their influence in the region through military action against their enemies.
It is important for countries in the region to closely monitor these developments and take necessary measures to protect themselves from any potential threats posed by these weapons systems.
Overall, this article serves as an important reminder that arms races between nations only lead to increased tensions and instability in the region, making it crucial for all parties involved to work towards peaceful resolutions instead of engaging in military actions that only lead to further conflict and destruction.
As such, countries should focus on diplomacy over military action when dealing with adversaries who pose threats or challenges so as not to escalate tensions unnecessarily or create unnecessary risks for both themselves and others involved in such conflicts.
