The Iran Project - Military experts at Iran's Defense Ministry have reportedly developed the technology to indigenously design and manufacture a sophisticated cruise missile capable of traveling at high supersonic speeds, the move has raised concerns about potential threats to Israel and US interests in the Middle East.

The homegrown missile has been introduced as a new generation of Iranian cruise missiles and is currently in the testing stage, IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency announced.

The report also noted that the missile will open a new chapter in Iran’s defense technologies, as it is extremely difficult to intercept a cruise missile flying at supersonic speeds.

Iran has gradually developed cruise missile systems over the years, with the unveiling of Soumar and Hoveyzeh cruise missiles in recent years, whose specifications have not been publicized.

And, most recently, Abu Mahdi high-precision naval cruise missile with a range of 1,000 kilometers that entered mass production.

The development of supersonic cruise missiles is of paramount importance, as it will greatly enhance Iran’s response power in case of any military confrontation and prevent the invading forces from taking timely retaliatory measures.

While the term "supersonic" refers to achieving speeds above mach one, which many missiles can already do, the combination of supersonic speed with cruise missile capabilities is what makes it more threatening, the JP said.

It should be considered that a top commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) had earlier said Iran may increase the range of its first hypersonic missile, named Fattah, to 2,000 kilometers in the future.

Ballistic missiles, which follow an arc trajectory and come back down to strike their target, have been a concern for Israel and the US for years.

Both countries have developed anti-ballistic missile defense systems to counter this threat. In contrast, cruise missiles fly at lower altitudes and have a straighter flight path, making them harder to detect and defend against. Cruise missiles can also be launched from ships at sea, adding another layer of threat.

Iran has had subsonic cruise missiles for some time, but they were shorter-range and slower. The question now is whether Iran has developed longer-range and faster cruise missiles, potentially posing a greater threat to Israel.

It is worth noting that Israel's air defense systems were primarily designed to counter ballistic missiles and rockets, so defending against supersonic cruise missiles may be more challenging for Tel Aviv rulers.

Israel does have multiple layers of air defense, including the Arrow 3 system, Iron Dome, and David's Sling. While these systems might be able to intercept supersonic cruise missiles, they were not specifically designed for that purpose.

It is important to not undermine Iran's missile capabilities and powers,

The development of supersonic cruise missiles by Iran raises concerns about potential threats to Israel and US interests in the Middle East. While Israel has various air defense systems in place, the specific challenge posed by supersonic cruise missiles may require Israel to act more cautiously.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly announced that it will not hesitate to strengthen its deterrent power and protect its rights and security.

 

By Fatemeh Khoshroo