📌 Editorial Note: This article is an educational, factual analysis of publicly documented military systems, sourced entirely from open-source defense research institutions including the CSIS Missile Defense Project, JINSA, Iran Watch, and Wikipedia. All specifications reflect publicly available information. This article does not promote, glorify, or advocate for any military program or action.
3,000+
Pre-2025 Arsenal (Estimated)
3,000km
Max Documented Range
#1
Largest Missile Arsenal in Middle East
2,000km
Self-Imposed Range Cap (2015)
Iran possesses the largest and most diverse ballistic missile arsenal in the Middle East. According to the CSIS Missile Defense Project, Iran has invested heavily over the past two decades in improving the precision, range, and survivability of its missile forces — transitioning from Soviet-derived liquid-fueled designs to domestically developed solid-fuel systems. The U.S. Central Command estimated Iran's stockpile at over 3,000 ballistic missiles before 2025. These systems represent a core element of Iran's defense doctrine, compensating for its relatively limited conventional air power due to long-standing international sanctions. The 10 missiles profiled here are drawn from open-source defense databases and represent the most strategically significant systems in Iran's arsenal.
📋 Rankings at a Glance
| # | Missile Name | Class | Range | Fuel | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khorramshahr-4 (Kheibar) | MRBM | 3,000 km | Liquid | ✅ Active |
| 2 | Sejjil | IRBM | 2,000–2,400 km | Solid | ✅ Active |
| 3 | Fattah (Hypersonic) | HGV | 1,400 km | Solid | 🔬 Development |
| 4 | Kheibar Shekan | MRBM | 1,450 km | Solid | ✅ Active |
| 5 | Haj Qasem | MRBM | 1,400 km | Solid | ✅ Active |
| 6 | Emad | MRBM | 1,700 km | Liquid | ✅ Active |
| 7 | Shahab-3 / Ghadr | MRBM | 1,300–1,950 km | Liquid | ✅ Active |
| 8 | Zolfaghar | SRBM | 700 km | Solid | ✅ Combat-Proven |
| 9 | Fateh-313 | SRBM | 500 km | Solid | ✅ Active |
| 10 | Qiam-1 | SRBM | 700–800 km | Liquid | ✅ Active |
📡 Range Comparison (km)
Maximum documented range for each missile system. Source: CSIS Missile Defense Project, JINSA, Iran Watch (2026)
Khorramshahr-4
3,000 km
Sejjil
2,400 km
Emad
1,700 km
Kheibar Shekan
1,450 km
Haj Qasem
1,400 km
Fattah
1,400 km
Shahab-3 / Ghadr
~1,300 km
Zolfaghar
700 km
Qiam-1
700 km
Fateh-313
500 km
🔍 Detailed Missile Profiles
1
MRBM · Liquid Fuel · Also Known As: Kheibar
Khorramshahr-4 (Kheibar)
3,000 km
Max Range
The Khorramshahr-4, also designated the Kheibar, is Iran's longest-range and heaviest operational ballistic missile. According to JINSA's June 2025 analysis, it carries a payload of 1,500 kg — the heaviest in Iran's arsenal — and achieves a circular error probable (CEP) of approximately 30 meters, making it one of Iran's most accurate systems. The missile is a liquid-fueled medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) and was publicly unveiled in May 2023. It is a significantly upgraded variant of the Khorramshahr series, featuring a larger warhead compartment and improved guidance systems. JINSA noted that Iran launched a Khorramshahr-4 on June 22, 2025, following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites — signaling it as Iran's most formidable deterrent weapon. At 3,000 km, it can reach targets across the Middle East, southern Europe, and Central Asia.
3,000 kmRange
1,500 kgPayload
~30 mCEP Accuracy
LiquidPropellant
🏆 Longest Range in Arsenal
Heaviest Payload: 1,500kg
MRBM Class
CEP: ~30m Precision
Unveiled May 2023
2
IRBM · Solid Fuel · Two-Stage · Domestically Designed
Sejjil
2,000–2,400 km
Max Range
The Sejjil (Persian: سجیل, meaning "brimstone") is Iran's most strategically significant solid-fuel missile and a major technological achievement. It is a two-stage, solid-propellant intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) — the only Iranian IRBM to use entirely solid fuel. According to the CSIS Missile Defense Project, development likely began in the late 1990s and stems from Iran's Zelzal SRBM program. A successful test was conducted on November 13, 2008. Crucially, Uzi Rubin, former director of Israel's Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, stated that "unlike other Iranian missiles, the Sejjil bears no resemblance to any North Korean, Russian, Chinese, or Pakistani missile technology" — indicating a genuinely indigenous design. Solid propellant enables faster launch preparation compared to liquid-fueled systems, significantly enhancing survivability.
2,000–2,400 kmRange
Two-StageConfiguration
SolidPropellant
IRBMClass
Iran's Only Solid IRBM
Fully Indigenously Designed
Faster Launch Readiness
Can Reach Eastern Europe
3
Hypersonic Glide Vehicle · Solid Fuel · Advanced Maneuvering
Fattah
1,400 km
Claimed Range
The Fattah (meaning "Conqueror" in Persian) is Iran's claimed hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) — one of the most technologically ambitious systems in its program. Unveiled in June 2023, Iran claims the Fattah travels at Mach 13–15 and uses a maneuvering reentry vehicle (MaRV) to evade missile defense systems. If the specifications are accurate, the Fattah would present significant challenges to existing interceptor systems such as the U.S. THAAD, Israel's Arrow-3, and Patriot PAC-3 by virtue of its speed, low altitude, and unpredictable flight path. According to CSIS and independent defense analysts, however, the full operational capability of the Fattah remains unconfirmed, and the missile is still considered in development or early testing phases. If validated, it would represent a generational leap in Iran's precision strike capability.
1,400 kmClaimed Range
Mach 13–15Claimed Speed
MaRVManeuvering RV
SolidPropellant
🔬 Hypersonic Glide Vehicle
Defense-Evasive Design
Unveiled June 2023
Still In Development Phase
4
MRBM · Solid Fuel · Advanced Navigation
Kheibar Shekan
1,450 km
Max Range
The Kheibar Shekan ("Kheibar Breaker") is one of Iran's newest and most capable solid-fuel MRBMs, unveiled in February 2022. It features advanced composite casing that significantly reduces the missile's weight — enabling a longer range without increasing size. According to CSIS, it uses a sophisticated guidance system that can reportedly switch between inertial navigation, satellite navigation (GPS/BeiDou), and potentially terminal homing — making it highly resistant to jamming. The name references the Battle of Khaybar (628 CE), a historical event significant in Islamic tradition. The missile was among the systems deployed during Iran's 2025 military engagements. Defense analysts note that the solid fuel enables much faster deployment compared to liquid-fueled predecessors, which can take up to two hours to prepare for launch.
1,450 kmRange
SolidPropellant
Multi-ModeGuidance
2022Unveiled
Solid Fuel = Fast Deploy
BeiDou/GPS Guidance
Jam-Resistant Navigation
Composite Lightweight Casing
5
MRBM · Two-Stage Solid Fuel · Named After Qasem Soleimani
Haj Qasem
1,400 km
Max Range
The Haj Qasem is a two-stage, solid-fuel MRBM named after Qasem Soleimani, the IRGC-Quds Force commander killed in a U.S. airstrike in January 2020. Unveiled in August 2020, it was developed as part of Iran's broader push toward solid-fuel medium-range systems. According to CSIS, the two-solid-fuel-stage configuration gives it a longer range with a smaller footprint than earlier single-stage designs. It features improved precision guidance and is operationally deployed with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force. In February 2025, a ship carrying 1,000 tons of sodium perchlorate — a key solid rocket fuel oxidizer — arrived at Bandar Abbas, a quantity sufficient to produce propellant for approximately 200 Haj Qasem missiles, indicating active replenishment efforts.
1,400 kmRange
Two-StageConfig
SolidPropellant
2020Unveiled
Named After Soleimani
Two-Stage Solid Fuel
IRGC Deployed
Active Replenishment 2025
6
MRBM · Liquid Fuel · Maneuvering Reentry Vehicle
Emad
1,700 km
Max Range
The Emad (meaning "Pillar" in Persian) was Iran's first ballistic missile with a maneuvering reentry vehicle (MaRV) — a critical technological milestone that enables the warhead to adjust its trajectory during reentry, complicating missile defense intercept attempts. Unveiled in October 2015, the Emad is a liquid-fueled MRBM with a reported range of 1,700 km and claimed accuracy of approximately 500 meters CEP. It is essentially a significantly upgraded derivative of the Shahab-3 / Ghadr lineage, but with the critical addition of the steerable reentry vehicle. Its development represented a strategic shift in Iran's missile philosophy — from quantity to precision. The UN Security Council viewed the Emad's test as a potential violation of UNSCR 1929 due to its inherent nuclear delivery capability.
1,700 kmRange
~500 mCEP
MaRVManeuvering
LiquidPropellant
Iran's First Maneuvering RV
Unveiled October 2015
UNSCR 1929 Implications
Precision-Guided MRBM
7
MRBM · Liquid Fuel · North Korean-Derived · Multiple Variants
Shahab-3 / Ghadr-1
1,300–1,950 km
Range (Variants)
The Shahab-3 family is the backbone of Iran's medium-range ballistic missile force and was the first system to threaten Israel from Iranian territory. Derived from North Korea's Nodong-1 missile, Iran has produced numerous variants including the Ghadr-1, Qadr-1, and Emad, each extending range and improving accuracy beyond the original design. The Ghadr-1 extends the range to approximately 1,950 km through a modified, lighter airframe and warhead design. According to CSIS, Iran has developed these variants under the designation "Shahab-3A, 3B, 3D, and 3M." Despite being a legacy liquid-fueled system, the Shahab-3 family remains widely deployed and constitutes the largest numerical portion of Iran's MRBM force due to decades of production and stockpiling.
1,300–1,950 kmRange (Variants)
~2,500 kgLaunch Weight
LiquidPropellant
MultipleVariants
Backbone of MRBM Force
Nodong-1 Derived
Shahab-3 / Ghadr / Qadr Family
Can Reach Israel
8
SRBM · Solid Fuel · Fateh Family · Combat-Proven
Zolfaghar
700 km
Range
The Zolfaghar is Iran's most combat-proven ballistic missile, having been used in actual military operations on multiple occasions. Unveiled on September 25, 2016, it is a solid-fuel SRBM in the Fateh family with a range of 700 km. In June 2017, Iran launched Zolfaghar missiles against ISIS positions in eastern Syria — the first Iranian ballistic missile combat use in decades. According to CSIS, the missile was also supplied to Iraqi militia groups. A 2025 report cited by Russia-Ukraine analyst sources noted that Zolfaghar missiles guided by BeiDou-3 satellite navigation demonstrated the ability to strike specific buildings and radar antennas during the 2025 Iran-Israel conflict — achieving accuracies of less than 5–10 meters in some cases, a dramatic improvement over earlier-generation systems.
700 kmRange
SolidPropellant
5–10 mCEP (Reported)
BeiDou-3Navigation
⚔️ Combat-Proven in Syria 2017
BeiDou-3 Guided
5–10m Precision Reported
Fateh SRBM Family
9
SRBM · Solid Fuel · Upgraded Fateh-110 · Used in Iraq 2020
Fateh-313
500 km
Range
The Fateh-313 is an upgraded version of the Fateh-110 short-range solid-fuel missile, featuring an extended range of 500 km and significantly improved accuracy over its predecessor. According to the CSIS Missile Defense Project, Iran likely used the Fateh-313 in the January 8, 2020 attacks against U.S. forces at Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq — the most direct Iranian military strike against American forces in decades, launched in retaliation for the killing of Qasem Soleimani. The missile is road-mobile, solid-fueled, and can be launched within minutes of arrival at a firing position. Iran has claimed the Fateh-313 possesses satellite navigation-assisted inertial guidance, and potentially an imaging infrared sensor for terminal homing against moving targets, though independent verification is limited.
500 kmRange
SolidPropellant
Road-MobileLauncher
2015Unveiled
Used in Jan 2020 US Base Strike
Road-Mobile · Fast Deploy
Upgraded Fateh-110
Sat Nav + Inertial Guidance
10
SRBM · Liquid Fuel · Finless Reentry Vehicle · Indigenous
Qiam-1
700–800 km
Range
The Qiam-1 ("Uprising-1") is a liquid-fueled SRBM indigenously developed by Iran as a derivative of the Shahab-2 (Scud-C) but with key improvements. Its most notable design feature is the removal of stabilizing tail fins — replaced by a maneuvering reentry vehicle that improves accuracy and complicates radar tracking during the terminal phase. According to CSIS, this finless design is particularly challenging for radar-based tracking systems, as the lack of fins removes traditional aerodynamic signatures. The Qiam-1 was used in Iran's October 2018 strikes against alleged KDPI headquarters in Iraq's Kurdistan region. A modified version, referred to as Qiam-2 by some independent analysts, features further accuracy improvements. It has been reportedly supplied to Houthi forces in Yemen, where variants appear as the Burkan missile series.
700–800 kmRange
FinlessRV Design
LiquidPropellant
Shahab-2Derived
Finless RV — Harder to Track
Supplied to Houthi (Yemen)
Used in Iraq 2018
SRBM — Indigenous Design
📊 Full Specifications Comparison
| # | Missile | Class | Range | Payload | Fuel | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khorramshahr-4 | MRBM | 3,000 km | 1,500 kg | Liquid | Inertial + Terminal |
| 2 | Sejjil | IRBM | 2,000–2,400 km | ~750 kg | Solid | Inertial |
| 3 | Fattah | HGV | 1,400 km | Unknown | Solid | MaRV + Hypersonic |
| 4 | Kheibar Shekan | MRBM | 1,450 km | ~600 kg | Solid | Inertial + BeiDou/GPS |
| 5 | Haj Qasem | MRBM | 1,400 km | ~500 kg | Solid | Inertial + Satellite |
| 6 | Emad | MRBM | 1,700 km | ~750 kg | Liquid | MaRV + Inertial |
| 7 | Shahab-3 / Ghadr | MRBM | 1,300–1,950 km | ~800–1,200 kg | Liquid | Inertial |
| 8 | Zolfaghar | SRBM | 700 km | ~450 kg | Solid | BeiDou-3 + Inertial |
| 9 | Fateh-313 | SRBM | 500 km | ~500 kg | Solid | Inertial + Sat Nav |
| 10 | Qiam-1 | SRBM | 700–800 km | ~750 kg | Liquid | Inertial + MaRV |
Strategic Shift: From Liquid to Solid Fuel
One of the most significant trends in Iran's missile program over the past decade has been a deliberate shift from legacy liquid-fueled designs (Shahab series, Qiam) toward solid-fuel systems (Sejjil, Kheibar Shekan, Haj Qasem, Zolfaghar, Fateh-313). Liquid-fueled missiles require hours of preparation before launch, making them vulnerable to preemptive strikes. Solid-fueled missiles can be deployed within minutes from mobile launchers, dramatically increasing survivability. According to Iran Watch, Iran's emphasis on combat-readiness formalized this policy in 2015, driving an accelerated solid-fuel development program that continues through 2026.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is Iran's longest-range ballistic missile?
According to JINSA's June 2025 analysis, the Khorramshahr-4 (Kheibar) is Iran's longest-range operational ballistic missile, with a documented range of 3,000 km and a 1,500 kg payload — the heaviest warhead capacity in Iran's arsenal. At this range, it can reach targets across the Middle East, parts of Eastern Europe, and Central Asia.
Does Iran have a hypersonic missile?
Iran unveiled the Fattah missile in June 2023, claiming it is a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) traveling at Mach 13–15 with a maneuvering reentry vehicle designed to evade missile defense systems. However, CSIS and independent defense analysts consider its full operational capability unconfirmed, and the system is believed to still be in development or early testing phases as of 2026.
Which Iranian missile is considered fully indigenous?
The Sejjil is widely considered Iran's most genuinely indigenous missile design. Uzi Rubin, former director of Israel's Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, stated that "unlike other Iranian missiles, the Sejjil bears no resemblance to any North Korean, Russian, Chinese, or Pakistani missile technology." It is a two-stage solid-fuel IRBM with a range of 2,000–2,400 km.
What is the difference between SRBM, MRBM, and IRBM?
These are range classifications for ballistic missiles. Short-Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBMs) have a range up to 1,000 km; Medium-Range Ballistic Missiles (MRBMs) reach 1,000–3,500 km; Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBMs) cover 3,500–5,500 km; and Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) exceed 5,500 km. Iran's arsenal is primarily composed of SRBMs and MRBMs, with a self-imposed range cap of 2,000 km formalized in 2015.
How large is Iran's ballistic missile arsenal?
U.S. Central Command General Kenneth McKenzie stated in 2022 that Iran possessed "over 3,000" ballistic missiles. Following significant combat losses during the 2025 Iran-Israel conflict, Israeli officials estimated Iran's remaining stockpile at between 1,000–1,500 missiles and approximately 100 launchers. Iran subsequently initiated rapid replenishment efforts, including importing large quantities of sodium perchlorate (solid rocket fuel oxidizer) from China.
📚 Sources & References
CSIS Missile Defense Project — missilethreat.csis.org/country/iran/ (March 2026) · JINSA — "Iranian Ballistic Missile Estimates," June 26, 2025 · Iran Watch — "Table of Iran's Missile Arsenal" (January 2026) · Wikipedia — "Ballistic Missile Program of Iran" (April 2026) · militarnyi.com — "Iran's Ballistic Missiles: Weapons of Terror That Have Failed to Deliver" (March 2026) · All specifications reflect publicly available open-source intelligence data. Classified assessments are not reflected here.
Conclusion: A Maturing, Modernizing Arsenal
Iran's ballistic missile program has evolved dramatically over four decades — from reverse-engineered Soviet Scud derivatives to indigenously developed solid-fuel systems with precision guidance capabilities. The strategic shift toward solid-fuel missiles like the Sejjil, Kheibar Shekan, and Haj Qasem reflects a deliberate emphasis on survivability and rapid deployment. The emergence of the Fattah hypersonic glide vehicle, if validated, would mark a generational leap in Iran's ability to challenge modern missile defense architectures. Despite significant combat losses and infrastructure damage in 2025, Iran has demonstrated a rapid reconstitution capability — underscoring the deep institutional investment behind its missile program. Understanding these systems in factual, technical detail is essential for informed geopolitical analysis, defense policy, and regional security research.
