The Path to a New Iran Deal
Foreign AffairsMay 17, 2023
The Facts
In an event open to journalists in Tehran on Thursday, Iranian officials unveiled what was described as the latest version of its liquid-fueled Khorramshahr ballistic missile amid rising tensions with the West over its nuclear program.
Iranian state media later reported that the Khorramshahr-4, or Kheibar, ballistic missile was successfully test-launched, with state TV broadcasting a few seconds of footage allegedly showing the firing.
The Spin
Pro-Iran narrative
The Kheibar missile, which requires a short preparation time and can be launched in less than 12 minutes, is just the latest achievement of Tehran to bolster its defense capabilities. Iran is committed to helping secure regional peace and stability as well as protecting peaceful countries that oppose the West's system of domination.
Anti-Iran narrative
In addition to having the largest and most diverse missile arsenal in the Middle East, Iran has been investing heavily in its ballistic missile program to expand their range and enhance their accuracy. These provocative developments are even more threatening given that such projectiles can be used to deliver a potential nuclear warhead as Tehran ramps up its nuclear program.