Iran has unveiled a new ballistic missile capable of hitting targets up to 1,700 kilometers (1,100 miles). Iran's Foreign Minister unveiled it at a ceremony in Tehran attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian.
State television broadcast images of the missile, called Etemad, or "faith" in Persian, saying it had a maximum range of 1,700 kilometers and was the "latest ballistic missile" built by the Iranian defense ministry.
Western countries have watched with concern the advances in Iran's ballistic missile program, accusing it of destabilizing the Middle East. Iran's missiles, including this newest design, are capable of reaching its arch-enemy, Israel, which it targeted twice last year as the war in Gaza spread.
"The development of defense capabilities and space technologies... aims to ensure that no country dares to attack Iranian territory," Pezeshkian said in a televised speech.
The ceremony took place on Iran's national aerospace day and a few days before the 46th anniversary of the establishment of the Islamic Republic on February 10, 1979.
Since the return of US President Donald Trump – who pursued a “maximum pressure” approach towards Iran in his first term – Tehran has made numerous shows of force, including large-scale military exercises and the introduction of underground military bases.
At the same time, Tehran has signaled its willingness to resume negotiations over its nuclear program, which has been the subject of tensions with Western countries for decades. (A2 Televizion)
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