Iran has test-fired a 1,000-km range anti-ship cruise missile capable of targeting U.S. Navy vessels in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, state television reported on Saturday.
“This is the Ghadr-380-mile variant, featuring a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers and advanced anti-jamming capabilities,” announced General Ali Reza Tangsiri, Commander of the Navy for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The statement was made from an underground missile facility located on Iran’s southern coastline, although no details were shared about the missile’s warhead or the precise timing of the test.
General Tangsiri added that this facility represents only a fraction of the IRGC’s missile infrastructure, warning that their arsenal could turn enemy warships into “a living hell.” According to the report, the missile—launched from central Iran into the Sea of Oman—is operable by a single operator within five minutes of preparation.
Iran has repeatedly showcased its underground missile facilities since 2011, boasting a network of such installations across the country, particularly near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. These fortified facilities also protect Iran’s liquid-fueled ballistic missiles, which require short-term fueling before deployment.
The Iranian military claims its missile technology can target distances of up to 2,000 kilometers, putting much of the Middle East, including Israel, within range. During the 2024 conflict involving Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah, Iran launched hundreds of missiles in two major barrages, one in April and another in October. While Israeli defence systems intercepted most of the missiles, the event underscored Iran’s growing missile capabilities.
Iran’s ballistic missile program emerged as a deterrent following its devastating eight-year war with Iraq in the 1980s, during which both nations targeted civilian populations with missiles. In the face of UN arms embargoes that limit access to advanced weapons, Iran has prioritized the development of domestically produced systems.
The U.S. and its Western allies view Iran’s missile and nuclear programs as significant regional threats, further complicating geopolitical tensions.
Iran Unveils ‘Gaza,’ Its Largest Military Drone
Iran has launched its largest military drone, named ‘Gaza,’ as a tribute to the Palestinian enclave devastated by prolonged conflict. The drone was showcased on January 26 in footage broadcast by Iranian state media and inspected by Major General Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC, and Amir Ali Hajizadeh, Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force.
Previously known as the Shahed 149 Gaza, the drone has been upgraded and rebranded. According to Commander Hajizadeh, the Gaza drone is capable of carrying up to 12 bombs and will primarily support border operations.
Iran Conducts Military Drills Near Western Borders
Iran has commenced multi-day military drills near its western borders, attended by top-ranking military officials. Observers included Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and Brigadier General Kiumars Heydari, Commander of the Army’s Ground Forces, as reported by IRGC media.
The drills, which began on January 27, featured drone and offensive helicopter operations, with over 100 aircraft participating. A senior military official stated that the exercises aim to prepare Iran for “any foreign threat” to its security.
Iran’s President visits aerospace and defence exhibition
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited an Aerospace Defence Achievements exhibition in Tehran on February 2, where he was briefed on the latest advancements in air defence technologies. Praising the ingenuity of the nation’s aerospace engineers, President Pezeshkian emphasized the critical role of innovation in enhancing Iran’s defence capabilities.
The visit coincides with mounting concerns among Iranian officials that the U.S., under President Trump’s potential second term, may intensify sanctions and empower Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to strike Iranian nuclear facilities.
In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned that any U.S. or Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear sites would constitute a “historic mistake,” promising an immediate and decisive response that could escalate into a full-scale regional war.
Team BharatShakti
(With inputs from Reuters)
