Iran Unveils Missile and Showcases Underground Factory, Reports Reuters

Iran Unveils New Ballistic Missile Despite Western Pressures

DUBAI – Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have launched a new surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of 1,000 kilometers (621 miles), as reported by the semi-official Fars news agency. This development comes in defiance of Western calls for Tehran to cease its missile program.

Fars shared images of an underground missile manufacturing facility dubbed "underground city," highlighting the "Dezful" missile as an upgraded version of the Zolfaghar missile, which has a range of 700 kilometers and is equipped with a 450-kilogram (992-pound) warhead.

Iran asserts that it possesses missiles capable of reaching distances up to 2,000 kilometers, placing both Israel and U.S. military installations in the region within its striking range.

The European Union has intensified its criticism of Iran’s ballistic missile initiatives while pledging to uphold the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers.

According to a U.N. resolution associated with the nuclear deal, Iran is "called upon" to refrain from engaging in activities related to ballistic missiles designed for nuclear delivery for a period of up to eight years. However, some nations contend that this language does not create a binding obligation.

Former President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the nuclear agreement last year, reinstating sanctions on Iran, while the EU continues efforts to preserve the nuclear pact.