TEHRAN -- Iran on Sunday
unveiled a new ballistic missile capable of travelling 1,700 kilometers, unveiling it in a Tehran ceremony attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian.
National television broadcast images of the missile, dubbed Etemad, or “trust” in Persian, saying it is “the most recent ballistic missile” built by the Iranian defense ministry.
Iran’s missiles, including this newest design, are capable of reaching the Israeli occupied territories.
“The development of defense capabilities and space technologies... aims to ensure that no country dares to attack Iranian territory,” Pezeshkian said in a televised address.
The ceremony took place on Iran’s national aerospace day coinciding with Ten-Day Dawn celebrations marking the 46th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
Since the return of U.S. President Donald Trump -- who pursued a “maximum pressure” approach against Iran in his first term -- Tehran has made multiple shows of force, including large-scale military exercises and the presentation of underground military bases.
Iran, which sourced the majority
of its military equipment from then-ally the United States, has been forced to develop its own weaponry since Washington cut off ties and imposed sanctions in the wake of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Having been under an arms embargo during a devastating war with Iraq between 1980 and 1988, Iran now has a substantial arsenal of domestically-developed weapons, including missiles, air defense systems and drones.
On Sunday, Iran unveiled three new satellites including new versions of Pars-1 and Pars-2 as well as Navak during a ceremony held to mark National Space Technology Day.
The upgraded Pars-1 satellite is an improved version of its predecessor, while Pars-2 offers higher imaging accuracy with an 8-meter resolution in color and 4 meters in black and white.
The Navak communications satellite has been designed to improve telecommunications at high altitudes.
Iran plans to launch two more satellites before the end of the current Iranian calendar year that ends on March 20. In addition to the 25 satellites currently in development, eight are fully built and ready for launch.
Addressing the ceremony, Pezeshkian said Iran is using science and technology in various fields including defense, not for aggression but for deterrence, dignity, and pride of its people “to ensure that no country dares to invade Iranian territory”.
He said the so-called human rights advocates use their military knowledge to kill oppressed and defenseless women, men, and children. “Today we are witnessing the catastrophes the criminal Israel has created in Gaza and Lebanon.”
Pezeshkian said despite attempts by the enemies to prevent Iran from standing on its own feet, the country, relying on its youth and experts, proudly produces and even exports military equipment and makes scientific progress.
Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said Iranian experts are working on the Sarir satellite launch vehicle, which will be able to put super-heavy cargoes into orbits, potentially paving the way for a satellite constellation.
Iran, he added, has become “completely self-reliant” in developing satellites, their carriers, as well as necessary ground infrastructure, control, and navigation systems.
On its 46th anniversary, Iran marked a successful year, achieving significant milestones, including the launch of four satellites and the successful deployment of a 300-gram payload into low Earth orbit.
Hassan Salarieh, head of the Iranian Space Agency, highlighted the accomplishments on Sunday, citing the successful launch of the Pars-1 in March - a remote-sensing satellite capable of capturing images with a resolution of 15 meters.
Iran also launched the Chamran, a research satellite aimed at testing orbital control and correction systems. Flown aboard the Qaem 100 solid-fuel satellite carrier, it marked the third consecutive successful launch of the carrier, solidifying its reliability.
In November, the private sector achieved a historic milestone by independently constructing and launching the Hodhod and Kowsar satellites.
Iran also deployed a 300-gram payload into low Earth orbit using the Simorgh satellite carrier, which also tested an orbital transfer block, a critical step toward reaching higher orbits.
Salarieh further noted progress in infrastructure, including the Chabahar National Space Center, which is 80% complete and expected to serve as a gateway for international launches.
Other advancements include the development of satellite image reception stations and enhanced laboratory capacities, he said.