Iran has claimed to have successfully tested a new ballistic missile, asserting that it is capable of reaching Israel and can bypass some of the world’s most advanced missile defense systems.
At a time when concerns are growing in the West over the progress of Tehran’s nuclear and missile programs, Iranian state television aired footage on May 4 of the test of the “Qassem Basir” missile, which appears to have hit its target.
Iran’s Defense Minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, stated that the solid-fuel missile has a range of 1,200 kilometers and is capable of bypassing the advanced THAAD missile defense system, which the United States deployed in Israel last year.
Nasirzadeh mentioned that the new missile was developed by addressing weaknesses identified during the “True Promise 1” and “True Promise 2” operations—missile and drone strikes carried out by Iran against Israel in April and October of the previous year.
The Minister emphasized that the missile has been enhanced both in terms of trajectory and maneuverability to help overcome air defense layers and claimed it is resistant to electronic interventions.
The Tasnim news agency, linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that the “Qassem Basir” missile is an upgraded version of the “Martyr Haji Qassem” missile, named after the slain commander of the IRGC’s Quds Forces, Qassem Soleimani, which was unveiled in 2020.
The missile was revealed on the same day that Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen launched missiles near Israel’s Ben Gurion airport, injuring several people and causing temporary disruption to air traffic.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Iranian support for the Houthis for the attack and vowed retaliation against both the Yemeni group and Tehran itself.
The missile reportedly managed to bypass Israel’s sophisticated air defense systems. It is said that Israel had two THAAD batteries and at least one Arrow 3 anti-aircraft system operational during the attack.
Experts state that the “Qassem Basir” missile marks Iran’s first use of optical seekers in a medium-range ballistic missile, according to REL.
Russian weapons expert Yuri Lyamin highlighted that this medium-range ballistic missile is now Iran’s longest-range missile equipped with an electro-optical seeker, replacing the short-range “Zolfaghar Basir” missile.
Nasirzadeh warned that any military aggression by the United States or Israel would provoke a global response targeting their assets and bases.
He stressed that while Iran does not seek confrontation, it will respond “strongly” if challenged.
