06 June 2023 , 08:25
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Iran claims it has created a hypersonic missile capable of travelling at 15 times the speed of sound.
Tuesday's announcement comes as tensions remain high with the United States over Tehran's nuclear programme.
Iran's state television said the missile - called Fattah, or "Conqueror" in Farsi - has a range of up to 870 miles.
The report also claimed without evidence the missile can pass through any regional missile defence system.
The TV broadcast what appeared to be a model of the missile being unveiled by Iran's Revolutionary Guard, a hardline paramilitary organisation in the Islamic Republic, before President Ebrahim Raisi.
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The Guard already has a vast arsenal of ballistic missiles.
In November, General Amir Ali Hajizadeh of the Revolutionary Guard claimed Iran had created a hypersonic missile, without offering evidence to support it.
Iran has unveiled the "Fattah", meaning Conqueror in Farsi, missile - claiming it travels 15 times faster than the speed of sound (FARS NEWS AGENCY)That claim came during the nationwide protests that followed the September death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after her arrest by the country's morality police.
Hypersonic weapons, which fly at speeds in excess of Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound, could pose crucial challenges to missile defence systems because of their speed and manoeuvrability.
China is believed to be pursuing the weapons, as is America.Russia claims to already be fielding the weapons and has said it used them on the battlefield in Ukraine.
The Iranian Defence Ministry carried out a missile launch test on May 20 (pictured) (Uncredited/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Meanwhile, Tehran and Russia have joined forces, creating a potentially lethal military pact that could have "dire consequences" for the US, a security expert told The Mirror in May.
Iran and Russia's potential lethal pact over the war in Ukraine could have 'dire consequences' for the US, a security expert has warned.
This comes after Pentagon officials said they believe Iran supplied Russian forces 400 advanced attack drones, many of which have been used to allegedly bomb Ukrainian targets.
It comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the US (FARS NEWS AGENCY)There are also fears more 'advanced weapons' could be handed over to Russia to be used in Putin's ill-fated war with its smaller neighbour.
US officials have said Iran is considering selling hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia but Washington did not yet have evidence a deal was reached.
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The new development in Iran-Russia relations will have 'dire consequences for years of thawing of relations between US and Iran,' according to a security expert.