Despite escalating tensions with Israel, Tehran retains a sophisticated missile arsenal—including cruise, hypersonic, and ballistic missiles—with some capable of reaching over 2,000 kilometres.
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Amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, a key question looms for military observers: Why has Tehran held back its most powerful missile capabilities—if it plans to use them at all?
Despite intense airstrikes and the exchange of dozens of missiles, reports indicate that Iran still retains much of its advanced arsenal, suggesting the confrontation has yet to reach its peak.
A strategic arsenal beyond conventional borders
Iran possesses one of the most diverse and advanced missile arsenals in the region, spanning short-, medium-, and long-range systems. With sophisticated offensive capabilities, these missiles serve as a strategic asset of the highest order.
Cruise missiles:
Iran relies on cruise missiles with high speeds, low flight and manoeuvrability, making them difficult to detect and intercept. These missiles pose a serious threat, especially to vital military sites deep inside Israel.
Khorramshahr-Khyber:
The Khyber missile, the latest generation of the Khorramshahr family, has a range of up to 2,000 kilometres. It is designed to strike strategic targets in depth without the need for complex launchers, making it a crucial element in any pre-emptive strike or retaliatory response.
Fattah 2:
Iran claims to possess an advanced hypersonic missile called Fattah 2, which it says is capable of bypassing modern air defence systems and penetrating the atmosphere at high speed, with a range of up to 1,400 kilometres. Despite Western scepticism about its actual capabilities, this missile remains a constant concern in deterrence calculations.
Qaseem:
Known for its high accuracy, the Qassem is a solid-fuelled missile designed for rapid launch, which enhances the readiness of Iranian units to carry out immediate strikes without lengthy preparations.
Zolfaqar Naval:
In the maritime theatre of operations, the Zolfaqar missile stands out with its 700-1,000 km range and its ability to target military and commercial vessels, making it a key element in any attempt to impose a blockade or target maritime supply lines.
Soumar:
The Soumar missile has a range of up to 2,500 km and is characterised by its ability to fly at undetectable altitudes, which enhances the chances of penetrating air defences and reaching distant targets accurately.
Ra'ad:
Lightweight and quick to equip, the Ra'ad missile is a suitable weapon for lightning and surprise attacks, especially if the war takes on a tactical nature on the ground.
Strategic messages
Military experts point out that Iran's reluctance to use these missiles so far may not be a weakness but rather a part of deterrence calculations. Tehran realises that introducing these weapons into the confrontation could mean opening the doors to a full-scale war or provoking a wider international response led by the US.
On the other hand, this arsenal may represent a political and military pressure card that the regime may use at a pivotal moment, whether to strike sensitive targets or to impose its conditions at the negotiating table at the end of the conflict.