Iran has claimed that it has the technology to build supersonic cruise missiles which could have the ability to hit Israel.
Iranian state media reported scientists have developed the technology to manufacture a cruise missile capable of travelling at supersonic speeds.
Tasnim News Agency reported the new missiles could “significantly accelerate the Islamic Republic of Iran’s response time in case of any combat and take away attacking forces’ opportunity for reaction”.
The homegrown cruise missile is being designed and manufactured by local experts. It is not known when such a missile could potentially complete the testing phase and be publicly unveiled.
The state-run Tasnim news agency was reported as saying: “The supersonic cruise missile will open a new chapter in Iran’s defence program, as it is extremely difficult to intercept a cruise missile flying at supersonic speeds.
“The new cruise missile is currently undergoing its tests.”
Iran has an array of cruise missiles, but none has so far breached Mach 1, or the speed of sound, which is 343 metres per second.
Mossad successfully thwarted nearly 30 Iranian threats (Photo: Getty)
A projectile that could travel at speeds between Mach 1 and Mach 5 is considered supersonic.
In May, Iran, which has one of the biggest missile programmes in the Middle East, unveiled a new type of ballistic missile with a range large enough to hit Israel.
The regime in Tehran has repeatedly threatened Israel, including President Ebrahim Raisi, warning that the Jewish state would be destroyed if its military launched a direct strike against his country.
Jerusalem is concerned by Iran's recent developments. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also been consistent in his position and stressed military action against Iran was not off the table.
News of Iran’s supersonic capabilities come after reports on the arrival of over 3,000 American sailors and Marines aboard two US warships in the Red Sea.
The troops have arrived to deter Iran from seizing and harassing merchant ships travelling through the Gulf's Strait of Hormuz.
Last month, the Pentagon sent additional fighter jets along with a warship to the Middle East in a bid to monitor key waterways in the region because of Iran's seizure and harassment of commercial shipping vessels.
