(USNewsBreak.com) – There has been a lot of concern surrounding Iran and its efforts to become part of the nuclear weapons race. The United States has been trying to draw its leaders back to the negotiation table, but talks stalled in September 2022. In the meantime, the Middle Eastern country has continued to push forward and recently claimed it developed its first domestically produced hypersonic missile.
According to Reuters, on Tuesday, June 6, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the official state news of Iran, unveiled what it claims is a model of a hypersonic missile that can beat existing air defenses including the Iron Dome. Called Fattah, it’s reportedly capable of traveling at Mach 15, or 15 times the speed of sound, and a distance of 870 miles. These specs would put it in the range of many Middle Eastern countries. It also appeared to have a moveable nozzle, which would allow it to change trajectory mid-flight, making it more stealthy and harder for air defense systems to intercept.
President Ebrahim Raisi and the Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) commanders attended the ceremony where the weapon was unveiled. IRNA claimed the development is a “big generational leap in the field of missiles.” IRGC General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said there was a ground test of the weapon, but no footage of it successfully hitting a target exists.
While this is a concerning development for the United States and Iran’s surrounding countries, military analysts say that the country is notorious for exaggerating its weapons capability. Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, addressed the claim as well and said Israel, its main rival, has “an even better response.”
Iran isn’t the only country seeking to create hypersonic missiles. China, Russia, and the United States are all believed to be in the race. Russia has allegedly used them in its war against Ukraine, but with not much success.
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