Iran has unveiled a new solid-fuel ballistic missile named Qassem Basir, with a range of 1,200 kilometers [4, 5]. The unveiling occurred on May 4, 2025, amidst increasing tensions with the West [4, 5].
According to military officials, the Qassem Basir is an upgraded version of the Martyr Haj Qassem ballistic missile, featuring significant modifications to its warhead design [4, 11]. These enhancements enable the missile to maneuver more effectively and evade missile defense systems [4, 11]. The missile is equipped with a thermal imaging guidance system, enhancing its precision and resistance to electronic warfare [4, 11].
Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh stated that the missile was successfully launched from over 1,200 kilometers away, precisely hitting its designated target without GPS navigation [4]. He emphasized the improvements in guidance and maneuverability, allowing it to bypass layered defense systems, even under intense electronic interference [4, 7]. Nasirzadeh also criticized the contradictory signals from Washington, expressing openness to negotiations while threatening military action [4].
The unveiling of the Qassem Basir missile follows Oman-mediated talks between Tehran and Washington concerning Iran's nuclear program [6, 8, 12, 14, 17]. These talks aim to establish a framework for a potential agreement on Tehran's civilian nuclear program [6].
This article is based on our author's analysis of materials taken from the following resources: Press TV, The Times of Israel, Iran International, Samaa TV, Stars and Stripes.