Iran Deploys Advanced Kheibar Shekan Missile, Signals Potential for Further Escalation
Photo credit - Euronews
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) recently deployed Iran’s advanced Kheibar Shekan missile, a long-range, solid-fuel ballistic missile, and hinted at the potential for further escalation by stating that not all of its military capabilities were used. According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, the Kheibar Shekan is part of the fourth generation of the Khorramshahr missile family, with a range of 1,450 kilometers.
This missile represents a significant advancement in Iran’s missile technology, featuring high precision due to its satellite-guided system and maneuverable warheads. Its high-explosive warhead weighs approximately 1,500 kilograms and measures up to four meters in length. The missile achieves speeds exceeding 19,500 km/h outside the atmosphere and nearly 9,800 km/h within it, making it challenging for advanced defense systems like Patriot or David’s Sling to intercept.
Development History
The missile’s origins trace back to 2017, when Iran introduced the Khorramshahr-1, a 13-meter-long missile with a 1.5-meter diameter, unveiled during a military parade for “Holy Defence Week.” The second-generation Khorramshahr-2, revealed in 2019, included guided warheads and a total weight of 20 tons. The fourth-generation Khorramshahr-4 was showcased in May 2023, though details about the third-generation Khorramshahr-3 remain undisclosed for security reasons, with military sources confirming its existence and advanced capabilities.
The Kheibar Shekan is designed to evade detection and interception, lacking ailerons to minimize friction and enhance speed and accuracy. It uses a locally developed “Arond” engine integrated into the fuel tank, reducing its size and improving camouflage. Launched from a mobile platform, it can be ready for launch in less than 15 minutes. The missile operates in three phases: initial launch and flight, warhead guidance with rear engines post-separation, and atmospheric re-entry, where final guidance engines maintain speeds above Mach 8.
Symbolic Significance
Named “Kheibar Shekan” (meaning “Breaker of Khyber” in Arabic), the missile references the historic Battle of Khyber, where Imam Ali bin Abi Talib played a key role, carrying deep religious and ideological meaning for Iran’s Shiite community. The name ties into Iran’s narrative framing its conflict with Israel in historical and ideological terms.
The missile was reportedly used in Iran’s “Sadiq Promise 1” operation in April 2024 and “Sadiq Promise 2” in October 2024, according to Western media, underscoring its growing role in Iran’s long-range military strategy.