Iran Unveils New Weapon: Shahed 136B drone and Jihad missile

Iran has unveiled new military hardware, including the Shahed 136B drone and Jihad ballistic missile, at a military parade on September 21, 2024. The showcase coincides with rising Middle East tensions, with allegations of Iran arming Russia with drones for use in Ukraine.

Iran's New Military Hardware Showcase

Iran unveiled new weapons at a military parade on September 21, 2024
The showcase included the Shahed 136B drone and Jihad ballistic missile

Shahed 136B drone:

- Upgraded version of the Shahed-136 "kamikaze" drone
- Operational range of over 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles)
- Features new capabilities and improved stealth technology
- Uses a turbojet engine, making it similar to a cruise missile
- Larger size may require more complex launch platforms

Jihad ballistic missile:

- Single-stage, liquid-fuel ballistic missile
- Range of 1,000 kilometers (over 600 miles)
- Designed and manufactured by the aerospace arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards
- Features a high-explosive detachable warhead

Other military hardware displayed:

- Total of 23 new ballistic missiles and long-range kamikaze drones
- Includes new Fatah hypersonic missiles

Regional and International Implications

Showcase occurs amid growing tensions in the Middle East
Iran's weapons development seen as a deterrent against potential Western assaults
Allegations of Iran arming Russia with drones for use in Ukraine:
- U.S. confirmed Iran shipped Fath-360 ballistic missiles to Russia
- Fath-360 is a close-range ballistic missile with a 150-kilogram warhead

International response:

- New sanctions imposed on Iran by the UK, France, Germany, and the US
- Sanctions related to alleged supply of ballistic missiles to Russia
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, accuses Israel of "shameless crimes"
Call for Islamic countries to sever economic ties with Israel and weaken political relations
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasizes country's growing defensive capabilities
Tensions escalate with recent Israeli airstrike on Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut:
- At least 31 people killed, including two top Hezbollah commanders
- Attack followed sabotage operations against Hezbollah's communications infrastructure

Strategic Significance of Iran's Military Advancements

Iran's focus on long-range weapons development:
- Aims to deter potential Western military interventions
- Compensates for lack of ability to strike US mainland directly
- Enhances Iran's regional influence and deterrence capabilities
Implications for regional balance of power:
- Potential to alter strategic calculations in the Middle East
- May influence negotiations and diplomatic relations with Western powers
Concerns over proliferation:
- Fears of advanced weapons technology spreading to non-state actors
- Potential impact on regional stability and security
Economic considerations:
- Development of domestic arms industry as a response to international sanctions
- Potential for arms exports as a source of revenue and geopolitical influence

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