Technical and operational potential of Iran's missiles
The Fateh-110 self-propelled tactical missile system. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
On the morning of February 28, in response to the attack by the United States and Israel, Iran launched Operation True Promise 4. Iranian missile troops carry out massive combined attacks on enemy targets using missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles aviation systems of various classes. This once again clearly demonstrates the potential of Iran's modern missiles and their combat capabilities.
Retaliatory strikes
The first reports of ballistic and cruise missile launches from Iranian territory came on the morning of February 28. Apparently, the decision to retaliate was made within a short time after the initial American and Israeli strikes. However, news There was a certain delay in the reports of missile launches.
Almost simultaneously, Iranian missile forces attacked various enemy targets in various countries. In each direction, depending on various factors, they used at least several dozen missiles of various types. Attack drones were also used.
The primary targets of the strikes were Israeli targets, Iran's main regional adversary. Beginning on Saturday, the Iranian military launched several massive missile launches against Israeli targets. The exact list of targets was not disclosed.
The Zolfaghar short-range missile system. Photo by Fars News
For several days, fragmentary reports have been coming from Israel about rocket strikes in various towns and areas. There are reports of several military bases of various types and administrative facilities being hit. Specifically, Iranian missiles have struck certain buildings or structures in major cities. Meanwhile, the Israeli side is working to conceal the results of such strikes to avoid compromising enemy intelligence.
US military installations in the region were also attacked. As early as February 28, reports of missiles landing and fires broke out in the port of Manama, Bahrain, where one of the US Navy's overseas bases is located. Furthermore, the port of Jebel Ali in the UAE, also used by the US, was hit. fleet.
On Saturday and later, Iranian missiles targeted airfields in the region used by the US Air Force. There were reports of attacks and missile impacts at and near the Erbil (Iraq), Al-Dhafra (UAE), Ali As-Salem (Kuwait), and Al-Udeid (Qatar) air bases. Fires broke out at the impact sites.
In total, Iranian forces attacked approximately 20 different targets across the region. In most cases, these were bases and airfields used by the US and Israeli armed forces. In some cases, these were joint bases, resulting in the impact on other countries' equipment.
A mobile system with the Khyber Sheqan medium-range missile. Photo by the Iranian Ministry of Defense.
Forces and means
Iran has not disclosed the specific missile systems and complexes it uses in its massive strikes against foreign targets. Its adversaries, meanwhile, have not yet released any materials that would allow for a definitive identification of the types of missiles used. However, the available data does allow us to understand which specific systems may have been involved in certain strikes.
For example, the distance from Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base to the nearest Iranian coastline is no more than 300 km. Nearby, Bahrain faces the same risks. The same applies to the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia.
In turn, the airbases in the UAE are even closer. They are separated from Iran by no more than 200 km due to the relatively narrow Strait of Hormuz. Kuwait, meanwhile, has no common border with Iran, yet its entire territory can be attacked by systems with a range of only 200-210 km. The situation in Erbil, Iraq, is even worse, as it is located 130 km from the Iranian border.
Israeli targets are a far more challenging target. The minimum distance between Iran and Israel exceeds 900 km. Furthermore, various practical factors further increase the requirements for missile weapons capable of attacking Israeli targets.
Shahed-136 attack UAVs on their launch pad. Photo: Telegram / Dambiev
The recent attack on Akrotiri airfield in Cyprus is also worth recalling. The direct distance from Iran to this facility is at least 1150-1200 km. The attack drone had to cross the airspace of several countries.
Complexes and their capabilities
Iran traditionally makes no secret of its successes in missile development. Advertising new systems and complexes is one component of its strategy to deter potential adversaries. As a result, it is well known that the Iranian army possesses a wide range of different weapons, from tactical systems to medium-range ones.
Thus, in the case of targets in Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, and elsewhere, various operational-tactical missile systems could have been used. Systems such as the Fateh-110, Hormuz-1/2, or Khaleej-e Fars have a launch range of at least 300 km. This is sufficient to attack enemy targets on the other side of the Persian Gulf.
Missiles of these types are launched from mobile launchers. Their flight to the target follows a ballistic trajectory guided by a satellite or inertial navigation system. According to published information, the circular error probable (CEP) does not exceed 10-20 meters. The payload, depending on the missile type, can reach 500-600 kg.
Israel, located further away, could also have been attacked using various ballistic missiles. Moreover, Iran already has similar experience—massive strikes took place in 2024-25. It has several types of systems capable of attacking targets anywhere in Israel.
One of the underground missile bases built in Iran. Photo: Telegram / Noghtezan_info
One of the latest developments in this class is the Khyber Shekan medium-range missile. According to available data, this missile can deliver a 550 kg warhead to a range of at least 1450-1500 km. There are also longer-range missiles, such as the Sejjil, in several modifications. These are designed to hit targets at a distance of 2-2,5 km.
In recent years, Iranian industry has been developing not only ballistic missile-based systems but also more complex ones. For example, in 2022, the Fattah-1 system, equipped with a missile with a hypersonic warhead, was unveiled for the first time. This system has a launch range of up to 1400 km, and its special warhead offers certain advantages.
Iran has also invested heavily in developing unmanned aerial vehicles for various purposes. Particular attention has been paid to long-range strike systems. Iran operates a number of such systems and families. According to available information, they are also being used under the "True Promise" agreement.
The most well-known UAV is the Shahed-136 and its derivatives. Depending on the modification, such a vehicle carries a warhead weighing at least 50-60 kg and can fly a range of approximately 1-1,5 km. Drones They are not distinguished by high speed or flight altitude, but they have other technical and economic advantages.
Self-propelled guns awaiting orders. Photo: Telegram / Noghtezan_info
Strategy and Opportunities
Thus, Iran possesses a wide range of surface-to-surface missiles of various classes, including medium-range systems. These systems were developed for use against potential adversary targets within the Middle East. Following the US and Israeli attacks, Iranian crews began performing similar combat missions.
In recent years, Iran has used its missiles of various classes and types to strike targets in Iraq and Israel. Now, however, the geography of the strikes has expanded significantly, with missiles landing on the territory of other countries. Their objective was to strike targets of a third power, the United States.
Iran's missile forces once again demonstrated the overall technical and operational capabilities of their weapons. Furthermore, they demonstrated their readiness to attack targets across multiple countries, not just their main adversary, Israel.
Operation True Promise 4 continues, with Iran launching new strikes against various targets. The country's leadership promises to carry out further attacks until its political and military objectives are achieved. Whether the Iranian army's accumulated weapons stockpiles are sufficient, and how long other countries can repel such attacks, will become clear soon.
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