How Far Can Iran Strike? A Breakdown Of Tehran's Missile Arsenal

Last Updated:March 03, 2026, 17:52 IST

Iran has publicly said that it maintains a self-imposed range cap of around 2,000 kilometres for its ballistic missiles.

As tensions escalate across West Asia following military exchanges involving Iran, Israel and the US, Tehran’s missile capabilities have come under renewed scrutiny. Over decades of sanctions and isolation, Iran has built a diverse missile arsenal which forms the backbone of its deterrence strategy. Iran has publicly said that it maintains a self-imposed range cap of around 2,000 kilometres for its ballistic missiles. Even within that ceiling, its arsenal enables strikes across Israel, US military installations in the Gulf and much of the wider Middle East.

Short-Range Ballistic Missiles (Up to ~300–500 km)

Iran fields several short-range ballistic missiles designed for battlefield and regional use. The Fateh-110 has a range of roughly 300 kilometres while the Raad-500 extends that reach closer to 500 kilometres. These systems allow Iran to target neighbouring countries, US bases in Iraq and maritime assets in the northern Gulf. Their solid-fuel propulsion enables faster launch preparation and improved survivability.

Medium-Range Ballistic Missiles (~700–1,500 km)

Iran’s medium-range ballistic missiles significantly expand its operational reach. The Shahab-3 has an estimated range of 1,000 to 1,200 kilometres. The Zolfaghar and Qiam fall into the shorter end of this category, at around 700 kilometres. More advanced systems such as the Kheibar Shekan are assessed to reach approximately 1,450 kilometres. At these distances, Iran can strike Israel directly from its territory and reach US military facilities across the Gulf.

Longer-Range Ballistic Missiles (Up to ~2,000 km)

At the upper end of its declared range limit are missiles such as the Ghadr-110, Emad, Sejjil-2 and variants of the Khorramshahr. With ranges approaching 2,000 kilometres, these systems allow Iran to cover the entire Middle East, including Israel, Turkey and the Arabian Peninsula, as well as multiple US bases in the region. The Sejjil-2, a solid-fuel missile, represents a notable advancement in rapid launch and mobility.

Cruise Missiles (Land-Attack)

In addition to ballistic missiles, Iran operates land-attack cruise missiles capable of low-altitude flight profiles that reduce radar detection. The Soumar is believed to have a range exceeding 1,000 kilometres. The extended-range Hoveyzeh reportedly reaches around 1,300 kilometres, while the newer Paveh has been described by Iranian officials as capable of flying up to 1,650 kilometres. These systems provide Iran with precision strike options against regional targets, including Israel and US facilities, using terrain-hugging flight paths.

Anti-Ship Missile Systems

Iran has heavily invested in anti-ship missiles to control maritime chokepoints, particularly the Strait of Hormuz. The Noor has a range of roughly 120–170 kilometres, while the Qader extends beyond 200 kilometres. A more distinctive system is the Khalij Fars, a ballistic missile variant adapted for maritime targeting with a range of about 300 kilometres. These capabilities enable Iran to threaten naval vessels and commercial shipping in the Gulf, including US naval deployments.

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