Amid nuclear tension, Iran says it has made a hypersonic missile

A top aerospace commander in Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard announced the country has developed a hypersonic ballistic missile. On Thursday, Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh claimed the missile can not only pass through the “enemy’s air defenses” but also has the capability of targeting air defense systems.

“This system is very fast and is capable of maneuvering both inside and beyond the atmosphere,” Gen. Hajizadeh said. “I don’t think, not even tens of years from now, any technology can be developed to counter this missile.”

Despite Thursday’s announcement, there have been no reports of such a missile being tested by Iran. While the country has developed a large domestic arms industry, Western military analysts say Iran sometimes exaggerates its weapons capabilities.

Hypersonic missiles can fly at least five times faster than the speed of sound and on a complex trajectory, which makes them difficult to intercept. North Korea claimed to have tested a hypersonic missile earlier this year.

Thursday’s announcement from Iran came two weeks after a Pentagon defense strategy noted rapid gains in hypersonic missile production from China and Russia. Russia has said it has used them on the battlefield in Ukraine. The review called for increased research and development on cutting-edge technologies, including hypersonics.

“We’re seamlessly integrating our deterrence efforts to make a basic truth crystal clear to any potential foe. And that truth is that the cost, the cost of aggression against the United States, our allies and partners, far outweigh any conceivable gains,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said last month. “Our nuclear capabilities remain the ultimate backstop for our strategic deterrence.”

Last week, Iran said it tested the Ghaem 100, the country’s first three-stage space launch vehicle. According to state media, the Ghaem 100 would be able to place satellites weighing 180 pounds in an orbit 300 miles from the earth’s surface.

The United States has called the test “destabilizing.” American officials believe space launch vehicles could be used to transport a nuclear warhead.

Reuters contributed to this report.