Iran has showcased its latest ballistic missile, named Etemad, which has a reported range of 1,700 kilometres. This missile was unveiled at a ceremony in Tehran, attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian. State television aired images of the missile, declaring it the “most recent ballistic missile” developed by Iran’s defence ministry.
The advancement of Iran’s ballistic missile programme has drawn scrutiny from Western nations, which view these developments as a potential threat to regional stability. The Etemad missile can target locations in Israel, reflecting ongoing tensions between the two countries, especially following last year’s conflicts in Gaza.
During the ceremony, Pezeshkian stated that Iran’s focus on enhancing its defence capabilities and space technologies is intended to deter any military action against the nation. In addition to the missile, three domestically developed satellites were introduced, including Navak, a communications satellite, and updated imaging satellites, Pars-1 and Pars-2, aimed at environmental monitoring and urban management.
This event coincided with Iran’s national aerospace day and precedes the upcoming 46th anniversary of the establishment of the Islamic republic on February 10, 1979. In recent years, Iran has conducted multiple military demonstrations, showcasing its growing arsenal and defensive technologies.
Alongside the Etemad missile, Iran also presented a new cruise missile model called the Ghadr-380, featuring capabilities to resist jamming and boasting a range of over 1,000 kilometres. Despite these military advancements, Tehran has expressed openness to resuming discussions regarding its nuclear programme, a long-standing issue of contention with Western countries.
Historically, Iran has had to develop its military capabilities independently since its relations with the United States soured following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Today, Iran possesses a significant stockpile of domestically produced weapons, including missiles, air defense systems, and drones.
