Tensions in Middle East Intensify As Iran Adds ‘Fully Smart’ 1000-Km Cruise Missiles to its Arsenal

Tensions in Middle East Intensify As Iran Adds ‘Fully Smart’ 1000-Km Cruise Missiles to its Arsenal

Emmitt Barry,

Iranian State TV announced on Sunday that Iran’s navy had enhanced its weaponry with the integration of advanced, locally manufactured Talaeieh and Nasir cruise missiles. These missiles, notably the Talaeieh, are described as “fully smart,” with a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) and capable of changing targets during their flight.

The Iranian navy has received both Talaeieh and Nasir cruise missiles at a naval base near the Indian Ocean, situated in the southern port of Konarak, about 1,400 kilometers (850 miles) southeast of Tehran, according to a report.

“The Talaeiyeh cruise missile has a range of over 1,000 km and is a smart missile that can change targets mid-mission,” state media quoted the head of Iran’s navy, Shahram Irani, as saying.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps of Iran has previously stated that it possesses cruise missiles with ranges of 1,000 kilometers (620 miles). Additionally, they claim to have missiles capable of reaching up to 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles), which is sufficient to target both Israel and U.S. military bases in the region.

While Western military experts often suggest that Iran may overstate its capabilities, Iranian-manufactured missiles, and drones remain crucial components of Tehran’s military arsenal.

On Saturday, the U.S. Department of Defense reported that a drone, believed to have originated from Iran, targeted a Liberian-flagged chemical tanker in the Indian Ocean. This incident underscores escalating regional tensions and introduces a new threat to shipping routes, especially in the context of the recent Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 and Israel’s subsequent military response in Gaza.