Iran Claims Build Physical Ballistic Missiles, Commander Of The IRGC Aerospace Forces: Prepare All Anti-missile Defense Systems

Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Forces Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh. (Wikimedia Commons/Tasnim News Agency/Mahmood Hossein)

JAKARTA - Iran has built a hypersonic ballistic missile, the Tasnim semi-official news agency quoted the commander of the Aerospace Forces of the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), raising concerns about Iran's missile capabilities.

The Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Forces Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh claimed on Thursday the missile developed was capable of penetrating all defense systems.

Hypersonic missiles, such as traditional ballistic missiles that can deliver nuclear weapons, can fly more than five times the speed of sound.

"This hypersonic ballistic missile was developed to counter the air defense shield," Hajizadeh said.

"It will be able to penetrate all anti-missile defense systems," the general claimed, adding he was confident it would take decades before a system capable of intercepting it was developed.

"This missile, which targets enemy anti-missile systems, is a great generation leap in the missile sector," he said.

The missile is difficult to intercept, as it can fly at least five times faster than the speed of sound and on a complex track.

"This missile has high speed and can maneuver in and out of the atmosphere," he explained.

However, there have been no reports of such missiles being tested by Iran. Meanwhile, concerns about Iranian ballistic missiles contributed to the United States' decision under President Donald Trump to withdraw from the 2015 Nuclear Deal in 2018.

Last week, Iran said it had tested Ghaem 100, its first three-tier space launch vehicle, which would be capable of placing a satellite weighing 80 kg (180 pounds) in an orbit 500 km (300 miles) from the earth's surface, according to state media.

The United States called such actions "disrupts stability" because it believed space launch vehicles could be used to transport nuclear warheads. However, Iran denies wanting to develop nuclear weapons.