Iran Unveils New Ballistic Missile With Reported 900-Mile Range

Iran on Wednesday unveiled a new missile whose reported range puts all of Israel well within its range. Called the “Khaybar Shekan” (Khaybar buster), a name that references an Arabian Jewish castle overrun by Muslim warriors in 628 CE, the missile has a range of 1,450 kilometers (900 miles), according to Iranian state TV. Iran already has missiles that can travel farther – up to 2,000 kilometers. But the Khaybar Shekan uses solid fuel, giving it the ability to be launched from a mobile launcher that can be driven by road or rail. Pure solid-fuel rockets are mostly used in ballistic missiles systems. Unverified Iranian reports say the missile is highly accurate, manufactured entirely domestically, and able to overcome missile shield systems. Tehran claims it does not seek nuclear weapons, and that its missile program is intended only as a deterrent.