Iran tests upgraded ballistic missiles, declares it will adopt preemptive military strategy

Iran released footage of its Qassem Basir ballistic missile test in April last year. (Photo taken from Iran’s state-run TV station)

As the maritime conflict between the United States and Iran escalates rapidly, the Tehran government has released a more aggressive defense strategy. Iran's state-run media announced on the 7th that a ballistic missile with upgraded performance has completed testing, and made a high-profile statement that it will adopt a "preemptive strike" strategy in the future to face any potential threats and may even take military action before an attack occurs.

The Associated Press reported that the message was delivered by Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, on state-run television. Reports pointed out that this solid-fuel ballistic missile named "Qassem Basir" has a longer range and higher accuracy. When it was first unveiled last year, it was revealed that it had a range of at least 1,200 kilometers and a warhead weighing about half a ton. Resay also claimed that the new bomb had previously been "tested" on U.S. warships in an actual combat environment. The US has not confirmed this.

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Iranian state-run media said that Qassem Basir uses solid fuel, has a longer range, higher hit accuracy, and is equipped with a warhead of about 500 kilograms. The missile was first publicly unveiled last year, when Iran claimed it had a range of at least 1,200 kilometers.

94 merchant ships were forced to reroute

This wave of tough statements comes at a time when the six-month-long confrontation between the United States and Iran is intensifying. The US military previously dispatched fighter jets to destroy three Iranian oil tankers in response to Iranian drone and missile attacks; the White House continues to impose counter-blockades and economic sanctions on Iranian ports.

The conflict also has a material impact on the global energy arteries. The White House stated that after Iran designated a "no-go zone" in the Strait of Hormuz and threatened passing ships, the U.S. military has actively intervened to escort and clear mines. According to U.S. military statistics, during the continued U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, 94 merchant ships have been forced to reroute, and another three have been paralyzed. Global shipping data and analysis company "Kpler" also pointed out that the number of ships passing through the strait last week saw a "cliff drop."

The Associated Press pointed out that as Tehran continues to increase maritime tensions, countries surrounding the Persian Gulf have also begun to show impatience and rebound. The United Arab Emirates, an important ally of the United States, announced a comprehensive suspension of trade with Iran last month due to the regional war. The Arab League also publicly condemned Iran's attacks on the Gulf countries at the Cairo Conference and emphasized that it would never accept the maritime trade corridor being reduced to a bargaining chip for other countries.

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