Iran has expanded its missile program, particularly its ballistic missiles, despite opposition from the US and expressions of concern by European countries.
Iran unveiled the fourth generation of its Khorramshahr ballistic missile under the name Khaibar, with a range of 2,000 km (1,243 miles) and a 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) warhead, the official IRNA news agency reported on Thursday.
Iran has expanded its missile program, particularly its ballistic missiles, despite opposition from the United States and expressions of concern by European countries. Tehran says the program is purely defensive and is for deterrence.
“Iran’s newest ballistic missile and the latest product of the defense ministry’s Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO) was unveiled today in a ceremony attended by the defense minister,” IRNA added.
US charged Chinese national for helping Iran
The United States charged a Chinese national last week with violating US sanctions by providing to Iran materials used to produce ballistic missiles, according to federal prosecutors in Manhattan.
A new surface-to-surface ballistic missile called Khaibar with a range of 2,000 km, unveiled by Iran, is seen in Tehran, Iran, May 25, 2023 (credit: WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)Xianfjiang Qiao works at Sinotech Dalian Carbon and Graphite Manufacturing Corporation, a China-based company that the US Treasury Department placed on sanctions list in 2014 for helping Iran buy parts to produce ballistic missiles. Sanctions bar companies from using the US financial system.
Has Iran Named Its Missile after an Anti-Jewish Battle?
Reports suggest that Iran has named its missile “Khaybarshekan,” a name that appears to reference a historic battle involving Jews during the early Islamic period.
The phrase “Khaybar, Khaybar ya yahud” is frequently used in the region as part of anti-Semitic chants, promoting the mass murder or genocide of Jewish people.
During the recent May conflict between Israel and Hamas, anti-Semitic protests erupted across Europe and the United States, featuring chants of a similar nature, as highlighted by the American Jewish Committee.
Seth J. Frantzman contributed to this article.
Content retrieved from: https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-744180.