IRGC: We Have Produced a 700 km Range Coastal-to-Sea Ballistic Missile

The commander of the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that this organization has successfully produced a coastal-to-sea ballistic missile with a range of 700 kilometers. According to Tasnim News Agency, Amir Ali Hajizadeh stated on Tuesday, October 16, that the production of this missile began following an order from the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic in 2007. He mentioned that this missile has 'complex technology and can target ships from a distance of 700 kilometers.' Mr. Hajizadeh did not provide further details about this missile. An American official had told Reuters on August 10 that Iran tested a short-range anti-ship missile during its recent naval maneuvers. Previously, IRGC commanders had reported the production of a surface-to-surface ballistic missile in the Persian Gulf, which is said to have a range of 300 kilometers and is modeled after the Fateh 110 missile. However, military expert Hossein Aryan stated in an interview with Radio Farda that the accuracy and effectiveness of this missile have not yet been proven. According to Aryan, 'The idea of using this missile to destroy an American aircraft carrier is based on a misassessment of U.S. military capabilities, as this aircraft carrier, or floating airbase, is protected by various ships that are ready to counter potential surface, subsurface, and missile threats.' Besides the U.S., which considers Iran's missile program a violation of the spirit of the JCPOA, European countries, including Germany and France, have expressed concern over this program. Meanwhile, Brian Hook, the head of the Iran Action Group at the U.S. State Department, criticized Iran for violating the spirit of the JCPOA again on Monday. He emphasized that failing to curb Iran's missile program would exacerbate conflicts in the region. Iranian officials have repeatedly threatened that if Iran cannot continue its oil exports, other countries will also not be able to export their oil. This threat has been interpreted as Iran's potential intention to close the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil passageways. Following these statements and other threats from Iranian officials, Admiral John Richardson, the operational commander of the U.S. Navy, warned Iran that the United States would maintain freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz by any means necessary. 'Using a missile with a range of 23 kilometers in Syria' Mr. Hajizadeh also stated on Tuesday, 'After six months of effort, we produced a missile with a range of 23 kilometers and used it in the last two years of the battle in Syria.' The IRGC Aerospace Force commander did not provide further details on this matter. Reuters reported on August 15 last year, citing Israel's Channel 2, that the mentioned factory in northwestern Syria near the city of Baniyas is constructing long-range missiles. Earlier, Mohammad Bagheri, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, had stated in a speech that Iran had established a 'missile production industry for Syria' in the Aleppo region and 'produced missiles' that were used in the 33-day war against Israel. According to reports from Tasnim and Fars news agencies, the Young Journalists Club website, and Radio Farda.