Iran unveils new missile, drone amid heightened regional tensions
Iran showcased its latest military advancements on Saturday, revealing a new ballistic missile and an upgraded attack drone during a military parade, as tensions in the region escalate and Tehran faces mounting allegations of arming Russia.
Iran showcased its latest military advancements on Saturday, revealing a new ballistic missile and an upgraded attack drone during a military parade, as tensions in the region escalate and Tehran faces mounting allegations of arming Russia.
The unveiling comes amid Western accusations that Iran has been supplying drones and missiles to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict — allegations that Tehran denies.
The newly introduced solid-fuel Jihad missile, developed by the aerospace division of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, boasts an operational range of 1,000 kilometers (over 600 miles), according to state media outlet IRNA. Also presented was the Shahed-136B drone, an enhanced version of the existing Shahed-136, equipped with advanced features and a striking operational range of more than 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles).
Newly inaugurated President Masoud Pezeshkian attended the annual parade in Tehran, held in commemoration of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. In a defiant speech, he highlighted Iran’s growing military capabilities. “Today, our defensive and deterrent capabilities have grown so much that no demon even thinks about any aggression towards our dear Iran,” Pezeshkian declared.
He also took aim at Israel, calling for Islamic unity against what he described as the “bloodthirsty, genocidal usurper,” in reference to Israel’s military actions in Gaza and its conflict with Hezbollah on the Lebanon border. “With unity and cohesion among Islamic countries… we can put in its place the bloodthirsty, genocidal usurper Israel, which shows no mercy to anyone, women or children, old or young,” Pezeshkian added.
Tensions in the Middle East have intensified dramatically since Hamas, backed by Iran, launched an attack on Israel in early October, sparking war in Gaza. In recent days, the conflict has drawn in Iran’s regional allies, most notably Hezbollah in Lebanon, where Israeli forces have been engaging in fierce battles along the border. Just a day before Iran’s military parade, an Israeli airstrike killed 16 Hezbollah fighters in southern Beirut, including members of the group’s elite Radwan Force.
Iran’s unveiling of these new weapons also comes amid fresh sanctions from Britain, France, Germany, and the United States, who allege that Tehran has been providing ballistic missiles to Russia for its war effort in Ukraine. Despite these diplomatic pressures, Iran continues to flex its military power on the regional stage, underscoring its pivotal role in the shifting dynamics of Middle Eastern geopolitics.
