Rubin 03 Amir Ali Hajizadeh commander of Aerospace Force

Iran Claim of Hypersonic Missile Capability Probably Exaggerated

By Michael Rubin

The Iranian government takes great pride in its domestic military industry, particularly a robust drone fleet and ballistic missile capability courtesy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Indeed, many Iranian politicians argue that heavy investment in indigenous industry is a silver lining to international sanctions applied to Iran.

Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed Iran had successfully developed a hypersonic ballistic missile.

Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed Iran had successfully developed a hypersonic ballistic missile.


“The missile… represents a generational leap.”


The Iranian government takes great pride in its domestic military industry, particularly a robust drone fleet and ballistic missile capability courtesy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Indeed, many Iranian politicians argue that heavy investment in indigenous industry is a silver lining to international sanctions applied to Iran. However, Iranian leaders are also prone to exaggeration, which appears to be the case in the following article excerpted from Tasnim News, an outlet close to Iran’s security services. In the article, General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, announced that Iran had developed hypersonic missiles capable of evading and destroying enemy air defense systems. He provided no detail and offered no ability for the Iranian press to photograph the alleged platform.

That said, such Iranian statements, even when seemingly exaggerated, often signal the direction of ongoing Iranian research. As Russia and China develop such capabilities, it is natural for Iran to try to follow suit given their diplomatic and military ties. While Iranian scientists and engineers probably cannot yet develop such systems, Iran would be likely to achieve the capability more quickly should either Moscow or Beijing assist. Hajizadeh’s statement may prove to be a potential starting point for a new Middle Eastern arms race given Iran’s willingness to directly, or indirectly by proxy, attack targets in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates with drones or cruise missiles.


Source:

“Hajizadeh: Iran Mushak-e Ballistik-e Hipersonik Sokht (Hajizadeh: Iran Builds a Hypersonic Ballistic Missile),” Tasnim News (media outlet with close ties to Iranian security apparatus), 10 November 2022. https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1401/08/19/2801922

General Hajizadeh, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force, told reporters this morning about the construction of an advanced hypersonic ballistic missile is capable of passing through advanced air defense systems to target them. He added, “The missile has a high speed and can maneuver in the atmosphere and out of the atmosphere. This new missile passes through all missile shield systems, and I don’t think there will be any technology to counter it for several decades,” Hajizadeh said. The missile targets enemy anti-missile systems and represents a generational leap in the missile field.


Image Information:

Image: Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed Iran had successfully developed a hypersonic ballistic missile.
Source: Tasnim News
https://newsmedia.tasnimnews.com/Tasnim/Uploaded/Image/1399/10/27/1399102712313941922032824.jpg
Attribution: Public Domain

Distribution A: Approved for public release

Related Products

Chinese Military Exercises Highlight Improvements in Joint Operations

Chinese Military Exercises Highlight Improvements
Since the end of last year, the brigade selected target drone operators to study at PLAAF academies and training institu
Read Story
yellow arrow pointing right
about Chinese Military Exercises Highlight Improvements in Joint Operations

North Korean Media Stays Quiet Despite Global Concerns

North Korean Media Stays Quiet Despite Global Conc
In the lead-up to the January 2025 inauguration of U.S. President Trump, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (PR
Read Story
yellow arrow pointing right
about North Korean Media Stays Quiet Despite Global Concerns

Russia Suspected of Distributing Former Syrian Military Assets To Mali

Russia Suspected of Distributing Former Syrian Mil
Officially, Russia has remained silent regarding the whereabouts of its Syrian stockpile of weapons since the fall of th
Read Story
yellow arrow pointing right
about Russia Suspected of Distributing Former Syrian Military Assets To Mali

Russia Expanding Its Military Influence in Equatorial Guinea

Russia Expanding Its Military Influence in Equator
Equatorial Guinea is now a target for Russian military influence and expansion on the African continent, according to th
Read Story
yellow arrow pointing right
about Russia Expanding Its Military Influence in Equatorial Guinea

Chechen Spetnaz Instructors Training Russian Soldiers in the Arctic Region

Chechen Spetnaz Instructors Training Russian Soldi
The Russian Spetsnaz University in Gudermes, Chechnya, has trained tens of thousands of soldiers from all over the Russi
Read Story
yellow arrow pointing right
about Chechen Spetnaz Instructors Training Russian Soldiers in the Arctic Region