Iran Unveils Latest Ballistic Missile

The Kheibar ballistic missile was unveiled during a ceremony on May, 25, 2023.
The Kheibar ballistic missile was unveiled during a ceremony on May, 25, 2023.

Iran unveiled the fourth generation of its Khorramshahr ballistic missile, called Kheibar, with a range of 2,000 kilometers.

State media reported that the country successfully tested the ballistic missile on Thursday, two days after Israel's military chief raised the prospect of "action" against Tehran.

Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi, chief of Israel's armed forces, warned: "Iran has advanced with uranium enrichment further than ever before ... There are negative developments on the horizon that could bring about (military) action.”

Iran, which has one of the biggest missile programs in the Middle East, says its missiles can reach Israel and US bases in the region.

Tehran has said it will continue to develop its "defensive" missile program despite opposition from the United States and European countries.

"Our message to Iran's enemies is that we will defend the country and its achievements. Our message to our friends is that we want to help regional stability," said Iranian Defense Minister Mohammadreza Ashtiani.

Iran claims its ballistic missiles are a deterrent and retaliatory force against the United States, Israel, and other potential regional adversaries.

Efforts to revive Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal have stalled since last September amid Western fears about Tehran's accelerating nuclear advances.

Iran's nuclear activities were restricted by the nuclear agreement, which Washington ditched in 2018, extending the time it would take for Tehran to produce nuclear material for a bomb. Iran denies pursuing nuclear weapons.