Tehran — Iran says hypersonic missile Revolutionary Guard Aerospace Force commander General Amirali Hajizadeh claimed Thursday that it could penetrate all defense systems.
Hypersonic missiles can fly at five or more times the speed of sound, similar to conventional ballistic missiles capable of launching nuclear weapons.
“This hypersonic ballistic missile was developed to counter air defense shields,” Hajizadeh said, citing Iran’s Fars news agency. ”
The general believes it will be decades before a system capable of intercepting missiles is developed, declaring it a “great generational leap in the field of missiles.”
What is a hypersonic missile?
In addition to much higher velocities, hypersonic missiles are also highly maneuverable, making them more difficult to track and defend than conventional missiles.
Countries like the United States have developed systems designed to defend against cruise and ballistic missiles, but their ability to track and shoot down hypersonic missiles remains questionable.
Unlike ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles fly in a low trajectory in the atmosphere, potentially reaching their targets more quickly.
North Korean Last year’s hypersonic missile test It raised concerns about competition for technology.
Russia is currently leading the race to develop missiles, followed by China and the United States.even in moscow Claimed to have used a hypersonic missile in March It was the first use of the weapon type in combat in Ukraine, but the United States did not confirm it was used.
Both Iran and Russia have been subject to severe sanctions — Iran, which unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
The two countries have responded to sanctions by stepping up cooperation in key areas to support their economies.
Iran advances amid diplomatic stalemate
The announcement of the alleged hypersonic missile came after Iran admitted it had one on Saturday sent drones to russiabut said it did before the Ukrainian war.
The Washington Post reported on October 16 that Iran was preparing to deliver missiles to Russia, but Tehran dismissed the report as “completely false.”
This claim also Negotiations to revive 2015 nuclear deal stalledAn agreement reached with six major powers – the UK, China, France, Germany, Russia and the US – freed Iran from sanctions in exchange for a guarantee that it could not develop nuclear weapons.
Iran has always denied wanting nuclear weapons, but in July claimed to have developed “Technology to make a nuclear bomb”
The deal collapsed after the US unilaterally pulled out under then-President Donald Trump in 2018.
It also follows Iran’s announcement on November 5 that it had successfully test-flighted a rocket capable of launching a satellite into space.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Sepahnews/AP
The United States has repeatedly expressed concern that such launches could boost Iran’s ballistic missile technology and extend to the potential delivery of nuclear warheads.
In March, the US government “imposed sanctions on Iran’s missile-related activities.Iran’s latest missile attack on Erbil, Iraq, and missile attacks by Iranian agents against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. ”
“These attacks are a reminder that Iran’s development and proliferation of ballistic missiles pose a serious threat to regional and international security,” the US government said.
