Tehran, Iran – Iran announced the deployment of one of its newest long-range ballistic missiles, the Khorramshahr-4, within underground missile cities.
Tehran considers this a move to bolster its defensive and offensive capabilities as part of what it describes as “active deterrence.”
The Iranian Fars News Agency revealed that the missile appeared for the first time among operational equipment
during the unveiling ceremony of a new missile city belonging to the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The agency stated that the Khorramshahr-4, also known as the Kheibar, represents one of the main pillars of Iran’s strategic missile program.
It noted that its deployment from underground facilities transcends the purely technical aspect
and carries clear operational messages amidst escalating regional and international tensions.
According to the released information, the missile has a range of approximately 2,000 kilometers
and can carry a warhead weighing around 1,500 kilograms.
Its design aims to enhance accuracy and the ability to penetrate advanced missile defense systems.
The missile is powered by an Arvand engine that uses self-igniting fuel, reducing readiness time
and allowing it to be launched from mobile platforms in less than 15 minutes.
Fars News Agency noted that the Khorramshahr-4 reaches speeds of approximately Mach 16
outside the atmosphere and drops to around Mach 8 within it, reducing flight time to just 10 to 12 minutes.
The missile also utilizes a mid-flight guidance system, mitigating the effects of electronic warfare,
and features a maneuvering warhead equipped with tactical engines to enhance accuracy in the terminal phase.
This development comes at a time of escalating military rhetoric and an exchange of messages between Iran
and the United States and its allies in the region, amid repeated warnings of a potential slide into wider conflict.
This makes the Iranian announcement a matter of close scrutiny by regional and international powers.
