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Ballistic missile
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Ballistic missile

Long-range Iranian weapons system whose attacks decreased 90% by March 6 following US strikes on launch infrastructure.

Iranian ballistic missiles reached Gulf Arab soil on 28 February and later struck targets from Israel to Diego Garcia, widening the weapons system’s operational role across the region.

Last refreshed: 22 September 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Can missile defences keep pace with a three-thousand-warhead arsenal?

Timeline for Ballistic missile

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Background

ballistic missiles are long-range weapons that travel on a high arc before descending on their target. Their speed compresses warning time and makes interception dependent on layered air and missile defences. Iran’s missile force has been operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force and is central to Tehran’s ability to strike beyond its borders.

Iran has developed systems including the Shahab-3, with an operational range of about 2,000 kilometres, and has claimed more advanced weapons. The arsenal gives Tehran a conventional strike option distinct from its nuclear programme. In March, the force demonstrated both sustained salvo capacity and the value of hardened launch infrastructure.

The 2026 campaign also showed the system’s limits. US officials said Iranian Ballistic missile attacks had fallen by about 90% by 6 March after strikes on launch facilities, while Iranian officials later said newer missiles remained unused. The gap between those claims leaves the remaining capacity uncertain.

Key Issues
Regional strikes

Missile salvos widened Iran’s target set

On 28 February, Iranian ballistic missiles reached or threatened Gulf Arab states as Tehran answered the opening attacks. The launches made the missile force a regional instrument, rather than a weapon aimed only at Israel.

On 20 March, Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia after Britain opened the base to US operations. The same day, Israel’s military chief said Berlin, Paris and Rome were within direct threat range. These episodes placed range and launch survivability at the centre of the system’s deterrent value.

Common Questions
What is a ballistic missile?
A Ballistic missile follows a free-flight arc through the upper atmosphere before descending on its target, combining range measured in thousands of kilometres with terminal speeds that leave defenders minutes to react.
How many ballistic missiles does Iran have?
The US Defense Intelligence Agency estimates Iran holds over 3,000 ballistic missiles, the largest arsenal in the Middle East. Systems include the Shahab-3, Emad, Khorramshahr, and the claimed hypersonic Fattah.Source: US Defense Intelligence Agency
Did Iranian missiles hit Jerusalem?
Debris from an intercepted Iranian Ballistic missile cratered Jerusalem's Old City in late March 2026, causing damage near historic sites.
Can Iranian missiles reach Europe?
IDF Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir stated that Iranian ballistic missiles could reach European capitals, the first explicit public acknowledgement of that range by an Israeli military official.
What did US bombers do to Iranian missiles?
US B-2 Spirit bombers struck hardened underground Iranian Ballistic missile launch facilities with GBU-31 penetrating munitions in early March 2026, reducing Iranian missile attacks by approximately 90%.
Source Material
Iran's missile arsenal: What weapons does it have?Iranian ballistic missilesIran — Missile ThreatIran's Missile ProgramIranian missile programBallistic missile

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 September 2026. Editorial standards.