On Sunday, Iran revealed a new ballistic missile, claiming it can travel up to 1,700 kilometers, during a ceremony in Tehran attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian.
State television broadcasted images of the missile, named Etemad, meaning “trust” in Persian. According to officials, the missile has a maximum range of 1,700 kilometers (1,056 miles) and is the latest ballistic missile developed by Iran’s defense ministry.
Western nations have expressed concerns over Iran’s progress in its ballistic missile program, arguing that it contributes to regional instability. Iran’s missile arsenal, including this new missile, has the capability to reach Israel, a nation it targeted twice last year amid the Gaza conflict.
During his televised address, Pezeshkian emphasized that the development of Iran’s defense and space technologies is intended to deter any foreign attack on Iranian soil.
The missile unveiling occurred on Iran’s National Aerospace Day, just days before the 46th anniversary of the country’s Islamic Revolution on February 10, 1979.
Since the return of US President Donald Trump, who adopted a “maximum pressure” strategy against Iran, Tehran has conducted numerous military demonstrations, including large-scale exercises and the showcasing of underground military facilities.
Despite this, Tehran has also indicated its openness to restarting negotiations regarding its nuclear program, which has been a point of tension with Western nations for many years.
Having previously relied heavily on US military equipment, Iran has been compelled to develop its own arsenal following the severance of ties and the imposition of sanctions after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The country, which was under an arms embargo during the 1980-1988 war with Iraq, now boasts a significant stockpile of domestically produced weapons, including missiles and aircraft.
