Iran Unveils New Ballistic Missile and Upgraded Drone Amid Rising Regional Tensions

Iran unveiled a new ballistic missile and an upgraded attack drone during a military parade on Saturday, according to state media, amid heightened tensions in the region. The announcement comes as Iran faces accusations from Western governments of supplying missiles and drones to Russia for its war in Ukraine, a charge Iran has consistently denied.

The newly introduced solid-fuel Jihad missile, developed by the aerospace division of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, has a range of 1,000 kilometers (over 600 miles), according to state news agency IRNA. Additionally, the Shahed-136B drone, an upgraded version of the Shahed-136, boasts enhanced capabilities and an operational range exceeding 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles).

President Masoud Pezeshkian attended the annual parade in Tehran, which commemorates Iran’s 1980-88 war with Iraq. Speaking at the event, Pezeshkian emphasized Iran’s growing defense capabilities. “Today, our defensive and deterrent strength has expanded to the point that no enemy dares think of aggression against our beloved Iran,” he said.

During the parade, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed an assembly of Muslim clerics, urging Islamic nations to cut all economic ties with Israel and reduce political relations. He referred to Israel as a “malignant cancerous tumor” and expressed hope that unity among Islamic countries could eliminate the Zionist regime from Palestine and curb U.S. influence in the region.