Iran's Navy Unveils 'Advanced' Cruise Missiles

Iran's Naval Forces introduced new cruise missiles on Sunday shortly after the US military blamed Iran for a drone attack on a vessel in the Indian Ocean.

US CENTCOM announced on Saturday that a drone launched from Iran targeted and hit a chemical tanker in the Indian Ocean, known as the Chem Pluto, the first time the US has directly blamed Iran for an attack as maritime routes have become a key strategy from Iran's proxies amidst the war in Gaza. 

A fire onboard was successfully extinguished, and there were no casualties. Iran has not commented. It comes while its Yemeni proxy the Houthis have announced a blockade of the Red Sea, in allegiance with Iran-backed Hamas in its war against Israel.

According to the state news agency IRNA, the additions to the army's naval forces include strategic cruise missile systems named Talaiyeh and Nasir, along with some other drone systems and a submarine locator system.

During the unveiling ceremony, Shahram Irani, the commander of the naval forces, highlighted that the Talaiyeh sea cruise missile boasts a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers and operates intelligently throughout its flight. Additionally, Irani introduced the Nasir sea cruise missile, which boasts a range of over 100 kilometers and exhibits highly advanced capabilities in demolition operations.

Iran, possessing one of the largest missile programs in the Middle East, asserts that its missiles can reach Israel and US bases in the region. Despite opposition from the United States and European countries, Tehran has declared its intention to persist with the development of its “defensive” missile program.

Iran maintains that its ballistic missiles serve as a deterrent and retaliatory force against the United States, Israel, and other potential regional adversaries.