Iran successfully launched a ballistic missile yesterday, Thursday, May 25, 2023, according to state media reports.

The launch came two days after the Chief of Israel’s Armed Forces expressed the prospect of action against Tehran’s nuclear program.

Iran, which has one of the largest missile programs in the Middle East, claims its weapons can reach Israel’s and United States’ bases in the region.

Despite opposition from the US and Europe, the Islamic Republic has said that it will further develop its missile defence program.

State television broadcast a few seconds of footage of what it said was the launch of the upgraded version of Iran’s Khoramshahr 4 ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 km, capable of carrying a 1,500 kg warhead. In fact, the speed of the tactical high-mobility missile can reach Mach 16 outside the atmosphere and Mach 8 inside the atmosphere.

State news agency IRNA reported that the liquid-fueled missile was named “Kheibar”, a reference to a Jewish castle that had been captured by Muslim warriors in the early days of Islam.

US State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller, said Iran’s development and proliferation of ballistic missiles poses a serious threat to regional and international security and remains a major non-proliferation challenge with Tehran claiming the program is purely defensive and of deterrent character.

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