From Short-Range To Cruise: The Missiles In Iran’s Arsenal And How Far They Can Strike

Iran maintains a sophisticated and expanding missile arsenal, featuring a range of systems from the solid-fueled Fateh-110 short-range ballistic missile to the liquid-fueled Shahab medium-range ballistic missile, and an increasingly potent array of cruise missile. These systems provide Tehran with capabilities for both rapid, precision strikes and broader regional power projection across various ranges. This extensive missile program is a cornerstone of Iran national security strategy, designed primarily for deterrence against perceived regional and international threats, particularly from adversaries like Israel and the United States. Its development also serves to project military power and influence across the Middle East, offering a retaliatory capability that complicates potential military interventions and underpins Iran geopolitical leverage in ongoing regional conflicts and proxy engagements.