Iran Claims To Have Built Hypersonic Missile

Facts

• According to Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency, the country's Revolutionary Guards' aerospace commander announced that Tehran has built a hypersonic ballistic missile. So far, there have been no reports of Iran using the weapon.
• Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh told reporters on Thursday that this homegrown hypersonic ballistic missile is capable of striking and penetrating advanced air defense systems, adding that he doesn't "think that any technology" capable of countering it would be found "for tens of years."
• This comes days after the US expressed concern that Russia could purchase Iranian surface-to-surface missiles for use in the Ukraine War after buying drones from Tehran.
• While the US Dept. of Defense is reported to be "well aware" of the situation and closely monitoring further developments, it remains "skeptical" as Iran reportedly exaggerated its military capabilities in the past.
• The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, stressed that this announcement increases the concerns and public attention on the Iranian nuclear program, but it's unlikely to have "any influence" on negotiations over it.
• Hypersonic missiles can fly more than five times the speed of sound and are maneuverable — making them more challenging to track and defend against than traditional missiles. Because they fly on a trajectory low in the atmosphere, they can reach targets more quickly.

Sources: Reuters, Tasnim, Bloomberg, FOX News, Al-monitor, and CBS.

Narratives

• Pro-Iran, as provided by Press TV. This announcement shows that Iranian armed forces have not only become self-sufficient in weapons manufacturing in recent years but also that they can develop state-of-the-art equipment. It must be crystal clear to Iran's enemies that Tehran will never hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities, nor will it negotiate its defense capabilities.
• Anti-Iran, as provided by The Washington Post. While global powers like China, Russia, and the US are believed to be pursuing hypersonic weapons, this announcement is likely to be another fabrication by Tehran. Hypersonic missiles aren't listed in the Revolutionary Guard's broad ballistic program, and the commander has offered not a single shred of evidence to support his claim.

Predictions