Iran Unveils Its New Homegrown 'Castle Buster' Missile That Can Strike US Bases, Israel

Iran has unveiled a new surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of 1,450 kilometers, allowing it to strike both US bases in the region and targets inside Israel.

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), which unveiled the missile Wednesday, has named it "Kheibar Shekan" (Castle Buster), a reference to a Jewish castle overrun by Muslim warriors in the early days of Islam.

According to Tehran Times, the domestically-manufactured missile can hit its designated target with pinpoint accuracy and an extremely high speed. Propelled by solid fuel, Kheibar Shekan is among the third generation of IRGC missiles. This version has lesser weight, and the launch time has been reduced by six times.

Though Iran claims that the missile can defeat missile shield systems, the information has not been independently verified.

Iran considers its missile program as an important deterrent against the United States and Israel and has often rejected calls to stop its ballistic missile work.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is consistently improving its missile capabilities to counter aggressors, oppressors, arrogant powers as well as murderous Zionists," Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri said during the unveiling ceremony.

He said Iran will "continue promoting its missile technology, adding the enemies "don’t understand anything other the language of force."

This comes as talks are underway in Vienna to restore Iran's nuclear pact, abandoned by President Trump in 2015. Iran continues to refuse a face-to-face meeting with the U.S., instead opting for intermediaries until Washington offers a "good agreement."

Last December, Iran conducted a five-day military drill named "Great Prophet 17," involving tests of short and medium-range ballistic missiles. The targets of the missiles included a mock-up of Israel's nuclear facility at Dimona.

Reports added that the drill included the simultaneous launch of 16 ballistic missiles as well as 10 Shahed-136 loitering munitions or "suicide drones." The drones boast long-endurance capabilities and can potentially reach Israel. It can also be launched from Syria or even Lebanon, which is less far away from Israel.

Tehran also conducted a drill last year to show off its ballistic missile power. The drill saw missiles hitting a simulated target that Iranian state television described as a "hypothetical hostile enemy ship." Iran also has a missile capability of up to 2,000 kilometers, added reports.