CNN Gets Rare Access to Iranian Missiles and Drones Used in Attack on Israel

 

In a rare display, Iran has showcased its military capabilities, including the missiles and drones used in its recent attack on Israel. CNN was granted access to an Islamic Revolutionary Guards exhibit in Tehran, where dozens of long- and medium-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones are on display.

The exhibit aims to demonstrate Tehran's air and space capabilities, and the progress made in its drone and missile program. Brigadier General Ali Belali, a former missile commander, proudly showcased the weapons used in the April 14 strike on Israel, which Iran claimed was a "punitive measure" in response to an alleged Israeli airstrike on an Iranian embassy compound in Damascus.

The attack on Israel included drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles, with the Israeli military claiming that "99%" of the projectiles were intercepted. However, Iran claims to have hit two locations inside Israel, including the Nevatim airbase in the Negev desert.

The missiles on display include the Ghadr and Emad, which have a range of over 1,000 miles and can carry warheads between 450 and 500 kilograms. Another missile, the Kheybar, carries a warhead of about 320 kilograms. The drones showcased include the Shahed 136, a cheap "fire and forget" drone that can fly low and slow and attack in swarms.

Iran's ballistic missiles have long been a concern for the US and its allies in the Middle East, who have called for curbs on the missile program to be part of any deal with Tehran. Iran insists its missile program is solely for defensive purposes, but has carried out several cross-border ballistic missile strikes in the region in recent years.

The exhibit also includes what Iran claims is an American RQ-170 Sentinel drone, made by Lockheed Martin, which it says it downed in 2011. The US has confirmed that the drone was part of a CIA reconnaissance mission.

Brigadier General Belali emphasized that Iran's missile development is key to its defense strategy, and that the country does not rely on anyone else for its defense capabilities. He also claimed that Iran has made significant progress in its drone and missile program, with achievements that have not yet been made public.

The display of Iran's military capabilities comes as tensions remain high in the region, with Israel's offensive in Gaza ongoing and the threat of war still looming. The international community is watching closely, with the US and its allies calling for restraint and a return to diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.