Washington, United States. The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, and Iran launched missiles towards Israel, Israel’s military said.
Ballistic missiles and perceived threat
A ballistic missile is a rocket-propelled weapon guided during its ascent but following a free-fall trajectory for most of its flight, delivering warheads containing conventional explosives or potentially biological, chemical or nuclear munitions over varying distances. Western powers regard Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal as a conventional military threat to Middle East stability and a possible delivery mechanism for nuclear weapons should Tehran develop them, while Iran denies any intent to build atomic bombs.
Stockpile, range and launch sites
Iran has the largest stockpile of ballistic missiles in the Middle East, according to the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Iranian officials have said their missiles have a self-imposed range of 2,000 km (1,240 miles), which they said was enough to protect the country as they can reach Israel. Many of Iran’s missile sites are in and around Tehran, and there are at least five known underground “missile cities” in various provinces, including Kermanshah and Semnan, as well as near the Gulf region.
Missiles cited by research groups and media
The Center for Strategic and International Studies said Iran’s arsenal includes multiple long-range missiles that can reach Israel, including the Sejil with a 2,000-km range; Emad, 1,700 km; Ghadr, 2,000 km; Shahab-3, 1,300 km; Khorramshahr, 2,000 km; and Hoveyzeh, 1,350 km. The semi-official Iranian news outlet ISNA published a graphic in April 2025 showing nine Iranian missiles it said could reach Israel, including the Sejil, which ISNA said could fly at more than 17,000 km (10,500 miles) per hour and had a range of 2,500 km; the Kheibar, with a range of 2,000 km; and the Haj Qasem, 1,400 km. The Arms Control Association said Iran’s ballistic arsenal included the Shahab-1, with an estimated range of 300 km; the Zolfaghar, 700 km; Shahab-3, 800-1,000 km; Emad-1, under development, 2,000 km; and a Sejil model under development, 1,500-2,500 km.
Previous conflict reference
During the 12-day war with Israel in June 2025, Tehran fired ballistic missiles into Israel, killing dozens of people and destroying buildings.
What do you want to know about Iran’s ballistic missile range, stockpile, and deployment sites?
