Iran introduced the Etemad ballistic missile, capable of travelling 1,700 kilometres (1,056 miles).
The missile, described as the latest advancement from the Iranian defence ministry, was launched in Tehran on state television. President Masoud Pezeshkian attended the ceremony, which was broadcast on state television. However, Western countries have raised concerns about its potential to destabilize the Middle East.
The Etemad missile, with its considerable range, is capable of reaching Israel, which has been targeted by Iran during conflicts that extended to Gaza last year. President Pezeshkian, in his address, emphasized that the development of Iran’s defence and space technologies aims to deter any aggression towards Iranian territory.
The unveiling coincided with Iran’s National Aerospace Day and came just days before the 46th anniversary of the Islamic Republic’s founding on February 10, 1979. These developments occur amid renewed military strength by Tehran, including large-scale exercises and the revelation of underground military bases, particularly since the return of US President Donald Trump, who has resumed his “maximum pressure” strategy against Iran.
Despite these military advancements, Tehran has also indicated a readiness to resume talks over its nuclear program, which has been a longstanding point of contention with Western nations. Historically reliant on the United States for military supplies, Iran has had to develop its weaponry following the severance of ties and imposition of sanctions by Washington after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
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The 'Etamad' has 1,700km range and dwarfs the crowd gathered around it https://t.co/12jvqu560m pic.twitter.com/fqhDMqe73Y
— RT (@RT_com) February 2, 2025Now, with a history of facing an arms embargo during the war with Iraq from 1980 to 1988, Iran possesses a significant inventory of domestically produced military equipment, including missiles, air defence systems, and drones, highlighting its capabilities in Indigenous arms development.
