Iran announced the development of a missile with a range of 15,000 km to strike the United States
Kyiv • UNN
Iran announced plans to create a ballistic missile with a range of up to 15,000 km, which could reach U.S. territory. It is noted that this would require a complex technological step, possibly involving the use of North Korean technologies.
Iran has announced plans to create a ballistic missile with a range of up to 15,000 km, which could potentially reach U.S. territory. Defense Express reports this, citing a statement by Abd al-Nabi Musavi Fard, a representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader, writes UNN.
Details
According to the publication, the Iranian leadership representative made the statement during Friday prayers. Currently, Iran’s longest-range ballistic missile is considered to be the Khorramshahr, with a claimed range of up to 4,000 km.
Defense Express notes that transitioning from medium-range missiles to an intercontinental system with a range of 15,000 km would be a difficult technological step. To strike Washington and New York from Iranian territory, a range of at least approximately 10,000 km would be required.
Possible role of North Korea
Defense Express suggests that Iran may attempt to use North Korea’s existing missile technologies. The publication recalls that the Khorramshahr was developed on the basis of the North Korean Hwasong-10, which, in turn, originated from the Soviet R-27 ballistic missile.
North Korea already has several intercontinental ballistic missiles with a claimed range of approximately 15,000 km or more. In particular, the Hwasong-18’s range is estimated at approximately 15,000 km, while the Hwasong-19 is claimed to have a range of more than 17,000 km. The Hwasong-17’s range is estimated at approximately 15,000 km.
Defense Express suggests that Iran may obtain some of the necessary technologies through cooperation with North Korea. At the same time, the publication does not rule out the direct transfer of missile technologies by Russia, although this is currently an assumption rather than a confirmed fact.