Iran unveils hypersonic missile with 1,200 km range

Iran has deployed an improved version of the Qassem Basir ballistic missile, a solid-fuel hypersonic weapon capable of reaching speeds of Mach 5 (approximately 6,100 km/h). According to Mohsen Rezaei, head of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, the missile features a 500-kilogram warhead and a range of at least 1,200 kilometers with enhanced precision.

This technological advancement coincides with a shift in Tehran’s military doctrine toward proactive, preventive strikes against perceived threats rather than relying solely on retaliation. This strategic change increases the risk of accidental escalation between Iran and the United States.

Tensions in the Persian Gulf have escalated following U.S. forces destroying two Iranian rocket installations on an island in the Strait of Hormuz. Recent hostilities include a near-miss incident involving U.S. Navy vessels. Additionally, Iran has announced a maritime “exclusion zone” in the Persian Gulf, warning that any vessel entering the undefined area will face sanctions.