Iran Reveals New ‘Jihad’ Missile as Middle East Tensions Soar

Newsweek -Sept21st2024

On Saturday, Iran unveiled a new ballistic missile developed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force, the “Jihad,” during a military parade in the country’s capital Tehran.

The parade, which comes amid escalating tensions and conflict in the region, was not in response to recent violence, but part of Iran’s “Sacred Defense Week,” which begins on September 21 and commemorates the Iran-Iraq War from 1980 to 1988. During this week, military parades take place in honor of the hundreds of thousands of Iranians killed during the war.

The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency, along with other state outlets, reported that the solid-fuel Jihad missile, one of 21 ballistic missiles displayed at the parade, has a range of about 620 miles. Also showcased was Iran’s newest one-way attack drone, the Shahed 136B, which has an operational range of around 2,500 miles.

The military display follows two deadly attacks widely considered to be executed by Israel on Lebanese soil using booby-trapped pagers. Israel has not publicly claimed credit for the attacks or denied responsibility, and a United States official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press that Israel briefed the U.S. on the operation.

Hezbollah members were targeted, however, numerous civilians, including children and medical workers, have been injured, maimed, and killed as the pagers exploded in public spaces and homes on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Estimates suggest dozens have been killed and more than 3,000 have been injured. Iranian ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani, was injured in the blasts and arrived at a hospital for treatment.

“Now again, this regime [Israel] has crossed a red line by targeting our ambassador,” Iranian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani said in a speech before the U.N. Security Council on Friday.