TEHRAN: Iran is on the verge of unveiling a hypersonic missile in the near future, according to a senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday.
The announcement follows Iran’s recent unveiling of a new ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers (1,242 miles) and the capability to carry warheads weighing over a ton.
Amirali Hajizadeh, head of the IRGC’s aerospace unit, stated, “The hypersonic missile has passed its tests and will be unveiled soon,” as reported by the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
Hajizadeh added, “This new missile is capable of bypassing all missile defense systems. It targets the enemy’s anti-missile systems and represents a significant advancement in missile technology. The hypersonic missile has a high speed and can maneuver both within and outside the atmosphere.”
US Expresses Concern Over Iran Missile Program
The commander initially claimed that Iran had developed a hypersonic missile in November, which was met with skepticism from the United States. A Pentagon spokesperson stated that they were “skeptical” of the assertion.
Hypersonic missiles have the ability to fly at speeds at least five times faster than the speed of sound, following intricate trajectories that make interception challenging. Unlike ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles travel at low altitudes in the atmosphere, potentially allowing them to reach targets more swiftly.
Last week, Iran unveiled the Kheibar missile, an updated version of the Khorramshahr, which is the country’s longest-range missile to date. The Kheibar is described as a liquid fuel missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers and a 1,500-kilogram warhead, according to the state news agency IRNA.
The United States expressed concerns about Iran’s missile program, describing it as a “serious threat” following the missile’s unveiling. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated, “The development and proliferation of Iran’s ballistic missiles pose a serious threat to international and regional security and remain a significant non-proliferation challenge.”
