The Khorramshahr-4, also called Kheibar, is Iran's most advanced medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM), unveiled in May 2023 and operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force (IRGC-AF). It represents the fourth and most capable generation of the Khorramshahr family, tracing its lineage to North Korea's Hwasong-10 (Musudan) and ultimately the Soviet R-27 submarine-launched ballistic missile.[1][2]
Physical Specifications
The missile is a single-stage, liquid-fuelled system with a launch weight of approximately 19,000–20,000 kg. Key physical dimensions include:[1]
- Length: ~13 metres
- Diameter: ~1.5 metres
- Range: officially 2,000 km (analysts assess the true ceiling at 2,500–4,000 km with lighter payloads)[3][1]
Propulsion
The Khorramshahr-4 is powered by the Arvand liquid-fuel rocket engine, burning storable hypergolic propellants — UDMH (fuel) and N₂O₄ (oxidizer). Because the propellants are pre-storable, the missile can remain fueled and ready for extended periods, enabling a launch preparation time of roughly 12–15 minutes — significantly shorter than earlier Iranian liquid-fuel systems. During the boost phase it accelerates to Mach 15–16 above the atmosphere, slowing to approximately Mach 8 upon re-entry.[4][1][2]
Guidance & Accuracy
The guidance suite combines an inertial navigation system (INS) with probable satellite (GNSS) correction updates and a maneuverable re-entry vehicle (MaRV). A critical design choice is the deliberate disabling of the guidance electronics upon atmospheric re-entry, which makes the terminal phase resistant to electronic jamming and harder for defense systems to track. The resulting circular error probable (CEP) is estimated at 30–100 metres, which Iran itself claims as ~30 m at maximum range.[4][1][2]
Warhead
The Khorramshahr-4 carries the heaviest warhead in Iran's known arsenal:[5]
- Primary configuration: 1,500 kg unitary high-explosive warhead for strikes on hardened infrastructure[3]
- Upper limit: up to 1,800 kg in MIRV (multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle) configurations[2]
- Submunitions option: the warhead can disperse up to 80 individual charges (each ~18 kg) over a target area for soft targets[6][7]
- Penetration variants: possible bunker-busting configurations for underground facilities[1]
The warhead detaches from the missile body in the terminal phase and impacts at hypersonic speed, complicating intercept attempts.[2]
Mobility & Survivability
The missile is deployed on road-mobile transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) vehicles — heavy multi-axle 10×10 or 12×12 platforms. This mobility allows dispersal across Iran's territory and launch from concealed sites. Additionally, significant stocks are stored in hardened underground "missile cities", making them resilient to pre-emptive strikes. The combination of mobile launchers, underground storage, and rapid fueling substantially reduces vulnerability.[8][1][9]
Strike Envelope
From launch sites inside Iran, the 2,000 km range places numerous high-value targets within reach:[3]
- Israel (Ben Gurion Airport, Dimona, Palmachim Air Base)
- U.S. Gulf installations — Al Udeid (Qatar), Al Dhafra (UAE), Fifth Fleet HQ (Bahrain)
- Parts of southeastern NATO (Romania, Bulgaria, Greece)
- Saudi Arabia and Egypt
Iran's supreme leader has reportedly imposed a self-declared 2,000 km range ceiling on its missiles; analysts believe the actual capability exceeds this limit.[1][5]
Operational Record
The Khorramshahr-4 has been used in combat operations, including reported launches during the 2025–2026 Iran–Israel conflict, targeting Ben Gurion Airport and Israeli Air Force installations. Iranian forces have also reportedly used it against U.S. military facilities in Qatar and Bahrain.[10][1][11]
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- https://www.armyrecognition.com/military-products/army/missiles/ballistic-missiles/khorramshahr-4-mrbm
- https://www.army-technology.com/projects/khorramshahr-ballistic-missile-iran/
- https://armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2026/iran-khorramshahr-4-is-the-most-advanced-long-range-missile-able-to-counter-modern-air-defenses
- https://clarityupsc.com/news/article/khorramshahr4-kheibar-ballistic-missile-2105
- https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/iran-claims-it-fired-largest-missile-yet-with-1500-kilogram-warhead-in-latest-barrage/
- https://www.saba.ye/en/news3356879.htm
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0Sq7LoeXgQ
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXOcEhVIZnI
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81zG_uYcqGs
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khorramshahr_(missile)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ng3P7KfUY4
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kheibar_(missile)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyKJHQbEbBc
- https://armyrecognition.com/military-products/army/missiles/ballistic-missiles/khorramshahr-4-mrbm
- https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/iran-deploys-khorramshahr-4-ballistic-missile-combat-duty-middle-east-deterrence/
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