Which Iranian Missiles and Drones Can Wipe US Bases in the Middle East Off the Map?
Missiles are carried on trucks during Army Day parade at a military base in northern Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. In the parade, President Ebrahim Raisi warned that the “tiniest invasion” by Israel would bring a “massive and harsh” response, as the region braces for potential Israeli retaliation after Iran’s attack over the weekend.
President Trump has threatened to bomb Iran in a manner “the likes of which they have never seen before” unless a new nuclear deal is agreed. Here’s why such bullying tactics aren’t a good idea when it comes to Iran.President Trump has threatened to bomb Iran in a manner “the likes of which they have never seen before” unless a new nuclear deal is agreed.The US has over 60 bases, garrisons and shared facilities dotting the Middle East, from Naval Support Activity Bahrain (home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet) and Al Udeid Air Base (CENTCOM’s forward HQ), to other naval, air and ground facilities in the Gulf, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Turkiye.© SputnikUS bases in the Middle East.US bases in the Middle East.In the event of war, all would be in range of Iran’s missiles and drones.
Ballistic Firepower
Qiam-1/2: 800-1,000 km range, 750 kg warheadHaj Qasem: 1,400 km range, 500 kg warheadKheibar Shekan: 1,450 km range, 500 kg warheadEmad: 2,000 km range, 750 kg payloadGhadr-110: 1,600-2,000 km range, 1,000 kg payloadKhorramshahr: 2,000 km range, 1,800 kg payload, MIRV-enabled
Ground-Based Cruise Capabilities
Abu Mahdi: 1,000 km range, 410 kg warheadPaveh: 1,650 km range, payload unknownSoumar: Precision strike missile with 2,500-3,000 km range, 410-700 kg payloadMilitaryIran’s Master Stroke: New Island Missile Deployment Could Blockade US Forces in the Gulf23 March, 19:41 GMT
Long-Range Drones
Kaman-12: 1,000 km range, 100 kg payloadShahed 129: 1,700 km range, armed with four Sadid-1 precision missilesMohajer-6: 2,400 km range, carries precision-guided munitionsShahed 149: 2,500 km range, 13-bomb payload up to 500 kg© Photo : Soufan Center / StatistaSoufan Center analysis of estimated range capabilities of Iran’s ballistic missiles.Soufan Center analysis of estimated range capabilities of Iran’s ballistic missiles.Besides raw firepower, Iran’s potential also comes down to two other factors: geography and resolve.Permanent access to the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman coastlines means that in wartime, Iran can dominate the waters around the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic chokepoint through which 30% of the world’s oil trade passes.The Zagros Mountain Range hugging the country’s southwest provides a natural barrier difficult for enemies to penetrate, with many underground missile bases and air defense sites situated at hardened mountainous facilities.Iran has also shown repeatedly that it will not allow aggression to stand, whether it comes to US spy drones violating airspace, or assassination attacks targeting its commanders. Iran will not hesitate to retaliate against any aggressor, no matter how powerful.