Amid escalating US-Israel strikes on Iran since February 28, 2026—including the killing of Supreme Leader Khamenei—Iran relies on its vast missile and drone stockpiles to retaliate against targets in Israel, US bases, and allied facilities across the Middle East.
Iran’s arsenal features one of the world’s most diverse collections, compensating for its outdated air force limited by sanctions. Pre-strike estimates pegged its inventory at 3,000 ballistic missiles, with ambitions for up to 8,000 by 2027, though Israeli strikes have halved launchers and disrupted production.
Ballistic Missiles
Medium-range systems like Sejjil (solid-fuel, quick-launch) and others reach Israel, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and UAE bases, with ranges up to 2,500 km. Saturation tactics overwhelm defenses, targeting military sites amid vows of sustained retaliation post-Khamenei assassination.
Cruise Missiles and Drones
Low-altitude cruise missiles such as Soumar (2,500 km range), Hoveyzeh, and Quds evade detection when paired with barrages. Thousands of Shahed-136 and Ababil drones, including 1,000+ advanced models inducted in 2025, enable swarm attacks on ships and infrastructure; Houthis and proxies like Hezbollah amplify this with 150,000+ rockets.
Hypersonic and Anti-Ship Capabilities
Fattah-2 hypersonics and repurposed ballistic missiles challenge naval targets like USS Abraham Lincoln, though accuracy gaps limit success against moving assets in open seas. Iran signals broader conflict, threatening trade routes and energy supplies.
