TSAMTO, March 5th. Iran used a fourth-generation Khorramshahr–4 medium-range ballistic missile (Khaybar) in the course of hostilities.
According to the Iranian State Television (IRIB), the launches were carried out in response to attacks by the United States and Israel on national infrastructure facilities.
Khorramshahr-4 is the most powerful model in the BRSD class of national production. The product is equipped with an advanced Arvand rocket engine powered by self-igniting fuel. A design feature of the propulsion system is the possibility of long-term storage of BR in a refueled state, which reduces the pre-launch preparation cycle (MRO) to 12-15 minutes.
High flight speed and the use of correction systems ensure increased missile immunity from electronic warfare and enemy missile defense systems.
The results of the combat use of the Khorramshahr-4 MRBMS in the period February-March 2026, according to the relevant monitoring groups (ISW, Al Jazeera) and official departments, are characterized as follows:
The stated results (according to Iranian sources – IRIB, IRGC):
- Hitting highly secure targets: a direct hit was recorded in the command and staff building of one of the regional air bases (presumably in Bahrain or southern Israel), which led to its complete destruction.
- Destruction of infrastructure: Damage to the fleet of fuel tanks and fuel depots is reported, which caused prolonged fires at the facilities.
- The effectiveness of the warhead: the use of a cluster warhead with submunitions has been confirmed, which made it possible to cover a significant area of aircraft parking lots.
Data from the enemy's objective monitoring and evaluation tools (CENTCOM, IDF):
- Breakthrough of missile defense systems: cases of successful overcoming of the anti-missile barrier ("Hetz-2", "Hetz-3", "David's Sling") have been noted. The reason is the high speed in the final phase of the flight (up to 8M) and the maneuvering of the head unit in the final section.
- Interceptions: some of the launched missiles (the exact number was not disclosed) were neutralized by missile defense systems outside the atmosphere. According to media reports, the debris of intercepted missiles caused damage to residential buildings.
- Losses: CENTCOM confirmed the deaths of at least 6 US military personnel during attacks on bases in the region, but the direct connection of these losses with the Khorramshahr-4 launches is being clarified.
Overall assessment:
The use of Khorramshahr-4 demonstrated the qualitative growth of Iranian technologies in the field of overcoming layered missile defense. The high CVO (10-30 m) and the significant weight of the warhead (1.5 t) made it possible to inflict critical damage to capital structures, which was previously difficult for ballistic missiles of previous generations.
Tactical and technical characteristics (performance characteristics) of the Khorramshahr-4 BRSD
- Firing range: up to 2000 km;
- mass of the warhead (warhead): 1500-1800 kg (high explosive or cassette type);
- flight speed: up to 16M at the marching section, up to 8M at the entrance to the dense layers of the atmosphere;
- guidance system: autonomous inertial with correction in the off-atmospheric part of the trajectory;
- accuracy (KVO): within 10-30 m.
