What is the Kheibar Shekan missile, the latest weapon used by Iran?
According to state-run news agency IRNA, the Kheibar Shekan missile belongs to the fourth generation of the Khorramshahr family of ballistic missiles, with a range of 1,450 kilometres.
It is considered one of the most prominent technical developments in the Iranian missile system, boasting a high degree of accuracy thanks to a satellite guidance system, in addition to manoeuvrable warheads.
The high-explosive warhead weighs about 1,500 kilograms and is up to four metres long. At the same time, the missile has a speed of more than 19,500 km/h outside the atmosphere and nearly 9,800 km/h inside it, making it very difficult to intercept even for advanced defence systems such as Patriot and David's Sling.
Sequential development
The first version of the missile dates back to 2017, when Tehran unveiled the Khorramshahr-1, which was 13 metres long and 1.5 metres in diameter, at a military parade on the occasion of "Holy Defence Week".
The second generation "Khorramshahr-2" appeared in 2019, with guided warheads and a total weight of 20 tonnes, followed by the fourth generation "Khorramshahr-4" in May 2023, without Iran revealing the details of the third generation "Khorramshahr-3".
However, military sources confirmed that it exists and has advanced capabilities that have not been disclosed for security reasons.
The Kheibar Shekan is characterised by design features that reduce its ability to be monitored or intercepted, most notably the absence of ailerons, which reduces the area of friction and increases its speed and accuracy.
The missile relies on a local engine called "Arond", which is integrated inside the fuel tank to reduce length and increase camouflage. It is launched from a mobile platform and can be prepared for launch in under 15 minutes.
The missile operates in three operational phases: takeoff and flight, then guiding the warhead with rear engines after separation, and ending with entry into the atmosphere, where the final guidance engines are activated while maintaining a speed of more than Mach 8.
Symbolic and ideological significance
The Kheibar Shekan missile derives its name from Arabic, meaning "Breaker of Khyber", a reference to the historical battle of Khyber between Muslims and Jews in Arabia.
Imam Ali bin Abi Talib played a prominent role in the battle, which gives the name special religious significance among the Shiite community, and reinforces the Iranian narratives couching the conflict with Israel in a "historical and ideological" context.
The Kheibar Shekan was previously used in the "Sadiq Promise 1" attacks in April 2024 and "Sadiq Promise 2" in October of the same year, according to Western media reports, reflecting Iran's increasing reliance on this model in its long-range operations.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LeMonde
8 hours ago
- LeMonde
Iran nuclear program: Europeans grant Tehran a reprieve before possibly reactivating sanctions
After several weeks of speculation, the decision is now official. The three European signatories of the Iranian nuclear deal – the United Kingdom, Germany and France – announced, in a joint statement on Wednesday, August 13, that they were granting Iran an additional repreive period, conditional on it increasing its cooperation around its nuclear program, before they reinstate their sanctions. In the document, which was addressed to the United Nations Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), among others, and to which Le Monde obtained access, the three countries, known as the "E3," gave Tehran until the end of August to respond to the international community's concerns regarding its nuclear program. "We have made clear that if Iran is not willing to reach a diplomatic solution before the end of August 2025, or does not seize the opportunity of an extension, E3 are prepared to trigger the snapback mechanism," reads the document, referring to a measure that allows the sanctions, which were lifted following the 2015 agreement, to be reimposed. The statement was signed by the foreign ministers of France, Jean-Noël Barrot; Germany, Johann Wadephul; and the UK, David Lammy.
Euronews
a day ago
- Euronews
Iran says it detained 21,000 'suspects' during 12-day Israel conflict
Iranian police detained 21,000 people on suspicion of offences such as spying and illegal filming during the nation's 12-day conflict with Israel, state media reported on Tuesday. After Israel launched air strikes against its regional rival on 13 June, Iran's authorities ramped up an internal security crackdown — ranging from mass arrests to executions. More than 1,000 police checkpoints were set up nationwide during the conflict with Israel, according to Iranian police spokesman Saeed Montazeralmahdi. He told state TV that the crackdown relied on citizens reporting suspicious activity to the authorities. "The arrest of 21,000 suspects during the 12-day conflict indicated high awareness and participation of people in providing security," Montazeralmahdi was quoted as saying. "Law enforcement rounded up 2,774 illegal migrants and discovered 30 special security cases by examining their phones," he said. The conflict saw a huge increase in Afghan migrants being deported from Iran back to Afghanistan, according to the UN refugee agency. The sharpest rise occurred on 26 June — two days after the conflict — when some 36,100 Afghans returned in a day. Montazeralmahdi said that 261 suspects of espionage and 172 people accused of unauthorised filming were also arrested in the security forces' crackdown. However, the spokesman did not elaborate on what charges the suspects might face. This is the first time Iran's police have given a total number of arrests during the 12-day fighting. In recent weeks Iran has occasionally reported the arrests of suspects on spying charges. The 21,000 figure contrasts with remarks made by Iran's judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei last month. He told Iranian state TV that around 2,000 people were arrested during and after the 12-day conflict, and said many of those were released after investigations found no evidence of spying for or cooperation with Israel. Since the end of June, Iran has reportedly executed seven men convicted of spying for Israel, sparking fears from activists that Tehran could conduct a wave of executions. The number of executions in Iran rose to at least 901 last year, the highest annual figure since 2015, according to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Amnesty International has accused Iran of having "intensified repression at home" following the hostilities with Israel in June.
LeMonde
a day ago
- LeMonde
Iran's nuclear progam: UN nuclear watchdog leaders return to Tehran after war with Israel
More than a month after Iran suspended its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), relations resumed. On Monday, August 11, the IAEA's deputy director, Massimo Aparo, traveled to Tehran, marking the agency's first visit since the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June. According to Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister, who was quoted by the Iranian news agency IRNA, after discussions about the "method of interaction between the agency and Iran," both sides agreed to continue consultations. The previous day, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had announced the visit would launch "negotiations (…) to define the framework for cooperation," clarifying that no inspections of nuclear sites were planned. Nevertheless, the visit reflected Tehran's willingness to ease tensions with the international community over its nuclear program and to resume negotiations with Washington. Six rounds of talks had already taken place before the war, but they were unsuccessful. On June 12, the IAEA Board of Governors published two reports accusing Iran of violating its nonproliferation commitments. The following day, Israel attacked several Iranian sites. During the 12-day war, Israel bombed key military and nuclear installations, killing scientists and civilians, with US support at the end of the conflict. On July 3, Tehran suspended its cooperation with the IAEA, citing its lack of impartiality.
