Strengthening defense capabilities, Iran launches Etemad ballistic missile

Iran on February 2 launched a new ballistic missile manufactured by the Iranian Defense Ministry , named Etemad, with a range of 1,700 km.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (center) visits an exhibition of defense achievements in Tehran, Iran on February 2. (Source: turkiyetoday)

State television broadcast images of the Etemad missile, saying it was the "latest ballistic missile." Speaking on television, President Masoud Pezeshkian said: "Developing defense capabilities and space technology... is to ensure that no country dares to attack Iranian territory."

The Etemad missile's "unveiling" ceremony took place on Iran's national Aerospace Day and just days before the 46th anniversary of the founding of the Islamic Republic on February 10, 1979.

According to AFP , Iran's missiles, including this latest design, are capable of hitting Israel - an enemy Iran has targeted twice in the past year as the war in Gaza escalated. Western countries are increasingly concerned about advances in Iran's ballistic missile program, accusing it of destabilizing the Middle East.

Since US President Donald Trump, who pursued a policy of “maximum pressure” on Iran during his first term, returned to the White House, Tehran has repeatedly flexed its muscles, including holding large-scale military exercises and unveiling underground military bases. For example, on February 1, the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced a new underground missile facility on the southern coast, just two weeks after Tehran revealed an underground naval base housing attack boats equipped with missile launchers.

Tehran also expressed its readiness to restart negotiations on its nuclear program - an issue that has caused tension with Western countries for decades.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/cung-co-nang-luc-phong-thu-iran-ra-mat-ten-lua-dan-dao-etemad-302928.html