16:00 08-04-2026

Iran Missile Arsenal: Full Scale and Capabilities

Fars Media Corporation, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Iran holds over 3,000 ballistic missiles and uses a wide range of systems, including Fateh, Shahab, Emad and cruise missiles in current conflict.

Iran is using one of the largest missile arsenals in the world in the current conflict, which has become the foundation of its military strategy. Given its limited air force capabilities, missiles provide Tehran with the ability to carry out long-range strikes against military targets and infrastructure. Western analysts note that this arsenal includes a wide range of systems, from short-range tactical missiles to modern medium-range systems and cruise missiles. According to various estimates, Iran possesses more than 3,000 ballistic missiles, while the total number of strike systems, including cruise missiles, may significantly exceed this figure.

The backbone of the arsenal consists of short-range ballistic missiles. Among them are the Fateh-110, with a range of about 300 kilometers and high accuracy, as well as its longer-range variants Zolfaghar and Dezful, capable of striking targets at distances of up to 1,000 kilometers. These systems are used for strikes within a closer operational range and are highly mobile, making them difficult to detect and destroy.

This category also includes the Qiam-1 missile, which uses liquid fuel and has a range of up to 800 kilometers. It represents a модернизированную version of earlier systems and is used against fixed targets.

Medium-range missiles also play a significant role. One of the most widely used is the Shahab-3, with a range of about 1,300 kilometers. Despite the relatively low accuracy of earlier versions, it remains a mass-deployed system. More advanced variants include Emad and Ghadr, which offer improved accuracy and performance. Emad features a maneuverable warhead, while Ghadr has a shorter launch preparation time.

Also in this category are the Sejjil missiles, with a range of up to 2,000 kilometers and solid-fuel propulsion, allowing for faster launch readiness. The Khorramshahr missile is notable for its heavy warhead, making it suitable for striking large targets.

In recent years, Iran has introduced newer systems, including Kheibar Shekan and Haj Qassem, designed to strike targets at ranges exceeding 1,000 kilometers. These systems are presented as more accurate and more resistant to missile defense systems.

A separate category includes the Fattah-1 missile, which Iran describes as hypersonic. According to заявленным характеристикам, it is capable of high speed and maneuvering in the terminal phase. Western analysts note that such features could complicate interception, although assessments of its actual capabilities remain disputed.

In addition to ballistic missiles, Iran operates cruise missiles used to bypass air defense systems. These include Soumar, Hoveizeh, and Paveh. These missiles fly at low altitude and are designed for precision strikes against selected targets, complementing ballistic missile attacks.

In the course of the conflict, Iran employs a combined tactic that integrates missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. Simultaneous launches are intended to overload air defense systems. Strikes are carried out against both military targets and infrastructure. The use of mobile launchers allows Iran to preserve a significant portion of its arsenal even under counterstrikes.

Some estimates presented by Iranian sources reach 10,000–15,000 missiles of various types, although Western analysts generally consider such figures overstated. Nevertheless, these assessments indicate that Iran retains a substantial stockpile of strike systems and the capability to sustain missile operations over an extended period.

Thus, missile forces remain the central instrument of Iran’s military strategy, enabling long-range operations and compensating for limitations in other branches of its armed forces.