Iran has deployed Kheibar Shekan missiles in recent strikes targeting US assets across the Middle East, utilizing weapons described as cheap, mobile, and accurate with a range exceeding 1,400 kilometers. These solid-fuel, medium-range weapons can be kept fueled and loaded quickly onto trucks or other vehicles for launching. This mobility makes it easier for the Iranian regime to evade warplanes attempting to target launch sites, a significant departure from older Iranian missiles that required a lengthy prelaunch fueling process. The Kheibar Shekan missiles also boast higher maneuverability, making them harder to destroy. Some variants feature small engines in the nose section that carry the explosive warhead, detaching during the final phase of flight to adjust direction as the missile approaches its target at approximately 10,000 kilometers per hour.
Iran's Escalating Missile Threat
Iran isn't just relying on these advanced missiles alone. It's combining Kheibar Shekan launches with high-speed attack drones and less sophisticated missiles, specifically targeting radars supporting air defenses across the region and housing areas for US troops at bases throughout the Middle East. US officials have noted that Iran employs different flight paths, maneuvers, and speeds to confuse US defenses. While the US and its allies have successfully shot down most of the Kheibar Shekans throughout the conflict, one US official confirmed that some have managed to penetrate defenses. Army Gen. Joseph Votel, who previously led US Central Command, stated, “I think what it tells us is Iran is paying attention, and they’re learning, and they’re looking at ways that they can get at us.” He added that Iran possesses a “well-developed drone capability” and a “missile program, a rocket program for a long period of time,” indicating deep expertise in this area. Independent missile expert Fabian Hinz suggested Iran likely studied previous launches to maximize their chances of reaching targets, noting, “Every single combat use gives you some sort of data, so that’s very useful for the Iranians.”
Western Casualties and Strategic Response
While Iran hasn't disclosed the cost of a Kheibar Shekan, analysts informed the Wall Street Journal that these missiles are far cheaper than the US and Israeli interceptors used to stop them, which cost between $2 million and $15 million depending on the system. Israel reported shooting down most of the Kheibar Shekans fired at it by Iran, which claimed to have targeted the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and conducted another missile attack last month. The Jerusalem Post reported that Iran retaliated by firing across the Middle East at Gulf nations and US military bases in the region. Since February 28 of the same year, 39 IDF soldiers and 23 civilians have been killed, with at least 7,693 more injured in ballistic missile attacks across Israel. CENTCOM confirmed that 18 US soldiers were also killed.
A Blow to the Islamist Regime
In response to this escalating aggression, Israel and the US launched Operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury on February 28 of the same year, with the stated aim of creating conditions for regime change in Iran. This strategic offensive resulted in a significant blow to the Islamist regime. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed by an Israeli strike on a Tehran bunker. Iran’s defense minister and several IRGC generals were also killed in what was the largest-ever aerial attack by the IAF. A ceasefire deal was announced on April 7 of the same year and went into effect the following day, April 8.