Iran unveils new ballistic missile in show of force

Iranian President Masoud Pajhwok inspects a new ballistic missile developed by the country. Tehran, February 2, 2025 | Photo: AFP

Iran has unveiled a new ballistic missile capable of striking targets up to 1,700 kilometers away. The missile, named Etemad (which means "Trust" or "Confidence"), was introduced on Sunday at a ceremony in Tehran by President Masoud Pezeshkian.

State television broadcast images of the newly developed missile, which was designed by Iran’s Defense Ministry. The announcement comes amid growing concerns from Western nations over Iran’s ballistic missile program, which they claim is destabilizing the Middle East.

Iran’s expanding missile arsenal, including the newly revealed Etemad, is capable of targeting its primary adversary, Israel. Last year, amid the Gaza conflict, Iran launched two attacks against Israel.

Iranian President Masoud Pajeshkian inspects various new military weapons and equipment | Photo: AFP

During the televised speech, President Pezeshkian stated, “Our advancements in space technology and defense capabilities ensure that no country dares to threaten Iran’s borders.”

In addition to the missile unveiling, Iran showcased three domestically developed satellites at the same event. These include Navak, as well as Pars-1 and Pars-2, which are upgraded versions of previous models. 

According to the Iranian state news agency IRNA, these satellites are designed for environmental monitoring, emergency response, and urban management.

The ceremony was held in celebration of Iran’s National Space Day, just days ahead of the country’s 46th anniversary of the Islamic Republic on February 10.

The event follows a series of military demonstrations by Iran since U.S. President Donald Trump began his second term on January 20. Trump had previously implemented a “maximum pressure” policy against Iran during his first term. In recent weeks, Iran has showcased its underground military bases and conducted large-scale military drills.

On Saturday, Iran also revealed a new cruise missile, Ghadar-380, which has a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers.

Despite its military displays, Iran has signaled its willingness to reopen discussions with Western nations regarding its nuclear program, an issue that has fueled tensions for decades.