Iran launches new cruise missile on revolution anniversary
- Defence Ministry’s website carries undated video purportedly showing the Hoveizeh cruise missile being test-fired from a mobile launcher
- Defence minister says the missile successfully hit target at a distance of 1,200km
Iran announced the “successful test” of a new cruise missile with a range of over 1,350km, coinciding with celebrations for the country’s 1979 Islamic revolution.
“The test of the Hoveizeh cruise missile was carried out successfully at a range of 1,200 kilometres (840 miles) and accurately hit the set target,” Defence Minister Amir Hatami said, quoted on state television which broadcast footage of its launch Saturday.
“It can be ready in the shortest possible time and flies at a very low altitude,” he said.
Hatami described the Hoveizeh as the “long arm of the Islamic Republic of Iran” in defending itself.
It is part of the Soumar group of cruise missiles, first unveiled in 2015 with a range of 700km, according to the minister.
The Hoveizeh unveiling was part of an arms exhibition dubbed “40 years of defensive achievements” and held in Tehran.