Mediaboss Marketing

Is Iran marching towards an ICBM? On June 15th, the Islamic Republic of Iran acknowledged its plans to conduct a test launch of its new solid-fueled rocket in the near future. One day prior, satellite images captured by Maxar Technologies depicted a rocket positioned on a desert launch pad that has been used by the regime to launch tests in the past.

While Irans Defense Ministry announced these plans on Wednesday, the government did not admit to this imminent test launch initially. A spokesperson with Irans Defense Ministry described the countrys test launch last year as successful, yet the history of Irans space program is unquestionably riddled with failures. Despite the outcome of Irans approaching test launch, the regime is sending a message to its adversaries including the United States. By carrying out the test, the regime is defying a United Nations resolution that restricts Irans ballistic missile development. As tensions between Iran, the U.S., and its regional adversaries have increased in recent months, the regimes test launch could be considered an escalation.

Launch Sites Redied, But Are They Reliable?

According to Iranian state news sources, two test launches of the Zuljanah solid-fuel satellite carrier rocket are planned for the imminent future. The rocket is equipped with a 200-kilogram payload, a sufficient amount needed for a nuclear warhead. While Irans spokesperson claimed an initial test of the rocket was deemed successful by Iran, satellite imagery suggests otherwise.

In late February, the Associated Press reported that Iran likely experienced a testing failure of its Zulijanah rocket. Images captured of the launch pad depicted a damaged surface and debris. In 2019, a mysterious rocket explosion at the Iman Khomeini Space Center destroyed and killed researchers.

Failure to Launch Successfully

While Iran has suffered from several failures in its space department over the last decade, the regime has maintained its commitment to carry out successful launches. In April 2020, Tehran launched its first successful military satellite. The Noor-1 light was carried by an indigenously made Qased three-stage space launch vehicle (SLV). This successful launch was extremely significant as it marked the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) first success in its new military space program. Additionally, the solid-fuel capability would make Irans ballistic missile designs more sophisticated when applied to these weapons in the future.

Irans latest test launch comes just one day after an Iranian scientist was mysteriously killed on a mission. Over the last year, a series of assassinations and sketchy deaths have plagued top Iranian officials. Israel has claimed responsibility for the targeted killing of Sayad Khodayee in May, according to the New York Times.

The IRGC officer was allegedly the leader of a small task force tasked with kidnapping Israelis and other foreigners around the world. The killing of Iranian scientists may also be perpetuated by the Jewish state, as it undoubtedly sets back the regimes progress on the nuclear front. Israels Begin Doctrine instructs the country to preemptively act to ensure that its adversaries do not obtain nuclear capabilities.

Irans ICBM Dreams

Irans latest test launch indicates the country could be seeking the launch capabilities needed to perform a successful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). However, the regime will first have to perfect the reentry of its satellites and warhead targeting to make this threat more formidable.

Maya Carlinis a Middle East Defense Editor with 19FortyFive. She is also an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel.

See more here:
Is Iran On the Brink of Building an ICBM? - 19FortyFive