Iran successfully tested a ballistic missile today, Thursday, with a range of 2,000 kilometers, just two days after the Israeli Chief of Staff raised the possibility of taking action against Tehran due to its nuclear program.
Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani stated, "Our message to the enemies of Iran is that we will defend our country and its achievements. Our message to our friends is that we want to help with regional stability."
State television broadcast what it claimed were images of an upgraded version of the ballistic missile "Khoramshahr 4," which has a range of 2,000 kilometers and can carry a warhead weighing 1,500 kilograms. The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that the missile is named "Kheibar."
On Tuesday, Israeli Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi spoke of the possibility of taking "action" against Iran as efforts by the six world powers to revive the 2015 Tehran nuclear deal have stalled since September, amid growing Western concerns regarding Iran's accelerating nuclear progress.
Iran, which possesses one of the largest missile programs in the Middle East, claims that its weapons are capable of reaching Israel and U.S. bases in the region. Despite opposition from the United States and European countries, Tehran has stated it will continue to develop its "defensive" missile program.
The nuclear deal, from which Washington withdrew in 2018, imposed restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities, thereby extending the time needed for it to produce enough fissile materials to create a nuclear bomb if it chose to do so. Tehran denies seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.
Israel views Iran as an existential threat, while Tehran asserts that its ballistic missiles are an important deterrent against the United States, Israel, and other potential regional adversaries.
