Iran has successfully tested a 1,000-kilometer anti-warship cruise missile, which can target US Navy ships in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman. The missile was launched from an underground facility located on Iran’s southern coast.
Details of the Test
According to General Ali Reza Tangsiri, the naval chief of the Revolutionary Guard, “This is a Ghadr-380 mile type L. It has over 1,000 kilometers range. It has anti-jamming capability.” However, the report did not provide specific details on the missile’s warhead or the timing of the test.
Missile System Capabilities
Tangsiri emphasized that the underground facility is just one part of Iran’s broader missile systems. Additionally, the missile can be launched in under five minutes by a single operator. It is specifically designed to create “a hell for the enemy’s warships.”
Iran’s Missile Program
Since 2011, Iran has periodically announced the opening of underground missile facilities along its southern coast, particularly near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, Iran claims its missiles can travel up to 2,000 kilometers, potentially reaching much of the Middle East, including Israel.
Missile Development and Strategy
Iran’s missile program was developed after the bloody 1980s war with Iraq, where both countries targeted cities with missiles. Given the U.N. arms embargo, Iran has been unable to buy advanced weapons, so it has relied on developing its ballistic missile capabilities. The underground tunnels offer protection for these weapons, including liquid-fueled missiles, which can only be fueled for short periods of time.
Western Concerns
As a result, the U.S. and its allies view Iran’s missile and nuclear programs as major regional and global security threats.