Continuation of 'Threats from the Islamic Republic'; Hajizadeh Says Iranian Hypersonic Missiles Will Be Unveiled

The commander of the Aerospace Force of the IRGC stated at a gathering of students at the University of Science and Technology: "Tests of Iran's hypersonic ballistic missile have been conducted and will soon be unveiled." Amir Ali Hajizadeh had announced the construction of a hypersonic ballistic missile in November 2022. According to Mehr News Agency, Hajizadeh said this missile has a high speed (about 12 to 13 Mach) and can maneuver both in and out of the atmosphere. He pointed out that this new missile can bypass all missile defense systems, adding: "This missile targets the enemy's anti-missile systems and represents a significant generational leap in missile technology." Last week, the Ministry of Defense of the Islamic Republic also unveiled the latest missile developed by the Aerospace Industries Organization of this ministry, named 'Kheibar', with a range of '2000 kilometers', which is said to be from the generation of 'Khoramshahr' ballistic missiles. Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Support of the Islamic Republic, described this missile as one of the most advanced missiles designed by the Aerospace Organization, equipped with a warhead weighing 1500 kilograms and using 'liquid' fuel. In this context, the spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State reacted to the test of the 'Kheibar' ballistic missile by stating to Voice of America on Thursday, June 5: "The development and proliferation of ballistic missiles by Iran poses a serious threat to regional and international stability and is a major challenge to non-proliferation of weapons." According to Matthew Miller, the U.S. is using various tools, including sanctions, to counter further advancements in the Islamic Republic's ballistic missile program and its capabilities for missile proliferation and related technologies. He added: "Despite the restrictions imposed on Iran's missile activities under UN Security Council Resolution 2231, the Islamic Republic continues to seek a wide range of missile technologies from foreign suppliers and conducts ballistic missile tests in violation of this resolution."