Iran has revealed what it claimed to be new ballistic missile capable of travelling 1,056 miles, marking a significant display of military technological advancement during a ceremony attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The missile, named Etemad – meaning "trust" in Farsi – was broadcast on state television on Sunday, with officials highlighting its substantial range. According to Agence France-Presse, the Iranian defense ministry described it as their "most recent ballistic missile".
Western nations have increasingly expressed concerns about Iran's expanding ballistic missile program, viewing it as a potential destabilizing factor in the Middle East. The missile's capabilities are particularly notable as it can potentially reach Israel, which Iran targeted twice during the recent Gaza conflict.
Video: Iran's president reviews a missile / Credit: X
President Pezeshkian emphasized the strategic importance of the missile, stating in a televised address that the development of defense capabilities "aims to ensure that no country dares to attack Iranian territory," Agence France-Presse reported.
The unveiling occurred on Iran's national Aerospace Day, just days before the 46th anniversary of the Islamic Republic's establishment on February 10, 1979. This event follows a pattern of military demonstrations that have intensified since the return of US President Donald Trump, who previously pursued a "maximum pressure" approach towards Iran.
Agence France-Presse noted that Tehran has simultaneously signaled openness to restarting negotiations over its nuclear program, a long-standing source of tension with Western countries.
Historically forced to develop its own military equipment after US sanctions following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has constructed a substantial domestic arsenal. Despite being under an arms embargo during its devastating war with Iraq from 1980 to 1988, the country has since developed an extensive range of domestically produced weapons, including missiles, air defense systems, and drones.
The missile's presentation underscores Iran's continued commitment to military self-sufficiency and technological independence in the face of international sanctions and geopolitical pressures.
