What is Iran’s Castle Breaker missile, used against US bases?

What Happened

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has deployed the Kheibar Shekan, a solid-fuel medium-range ballistic missile with a 1,450km range, in retaliatory strikes against United States military assets in Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Erbil, Iraq. These actions follow a series of US military strikes on Iranian targets, including rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on August 31 and subsequent operations against IRGC sites in southern Iran. Tehran reported that US strikes on the city of Kuhestak resulted in at least five civilian deaths and 68 injuries during a wedding celebration.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The deployment of the Kheibar Shekan, a solid-fuel missile capable of rapid launch, signifies a shift in the intensity of the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. The escalation, which has expanded to include strikes on bases in Jordan and the Gulf states, marks the end of a previous period of relative calm and demonstrates Iran's intent to maintain its regional missile deterrence capabilities despite sustained US military pressure.

Watch For

Monitor for further US military responses following the recent strikes on Jordan and the Gulf states, as well as any potential shifts in the operational status of US bases in the region. Additionally, observe whether the IRGC continues to deploy the Kheibar Shekan or other medium-range systems in response to US Central Command's ongoing targeting of Iranian infrastructure.