Iran deploys new precision anti-ship missiles in Persian Gulf

Iran has reportedly deployed the Qasem Basir, a new electro-optically guided anti-ship ballistic missile, in the Persian Gulf. The missile features a 1,200-kilometer range and a 500-kilogram maneuverable warhead equipped with terminal optical sensors designed to strike moving targets. Reports indicate the missile was used against the USS George Washington and its escort destroyers near the Strait of Hormuz.

In response to these strikes, US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the attacks failed to cause US casualties. However, US forces have engaged in retaliatory strikes against Iranian crude tankers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) near Kharg Island and Jask. This escalation has increased volatility in critical global energy corridors.

Concurrently, tensions remain high in the broader region. Israel has raised its alert levels ahead of Yom Kippur, fearing a multi-front offensive from Tehran. The Israeli military has also increased operations in southern Lebanon, claiming operational control over the Ali Al-Taher Hills, while Hezbollah continues to launch drone operations against Israeli military targets. Meanwhile, in Yemen, the Ansarallah-led government has launched offensives to capture strategic southern locations.