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Iran's Ballistic Missile Program: A Growing Threat

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. -ballistic-missile-program-a-growing-threat.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Thursday, February 26th 2026 at 21:03 GMT by Le Monde.fr
      Locales: IRAN (ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF), UNITED STATES, ISRAEL

By Alex Ryder

TEHRAN - For years, the international focus on Iran has been almost entirely consumed by its nuclear ambitions. However, a parallel and increasingly worrying development is unfolding: the rapid and sophisticated rebuilding of Iran's ballistic missile capabilities. While diplomatic efforts surrounding a potential renewed nuclear deal continue, experts warn that this escalating missile program presents a more immediate and destabilizing threat to regional and global security.

For much of the past decade, preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons has been the paramount concern of the United States, European allies, and other nations. The assumption has been that a nuclear-armed Iran would represent the greatest national security risk. However, this single-minded focus has, arguably, allowed the expansion of Iran's ballistic missile program to proceed with comparatively little attention - a dangerous oversight.

"The nuclear issue has understandably dominated the conversation, but this has inadvertently created a blind spot regarding the ballistic missile program," explains Dr. Elara Rostami, a specialist in Iranian military strategy at the University of Tehran. "The missiles offer Iran a more readily available tool for projecting power and exerting influence, and the pace of their development is deeply concerning."

Iran's missile program has faced international sanctions aimed at curbing its progress, but these measures have proven increasingly ineffective. Iran has demonstrated a remarkable capacity for indigenous development, reducing its reliance on foreign imports and mastering the production of critical components. This self-sufficiency is a key driver of the program's acceleration.

Recent analyses indicate that Iran's latest generation of missiles are not merely quantitative improvements over previous models, but represent qualitative leaps in technology. These include enhanced precision, extended range - potentially reaching targets across Europe - and significantly more sophisticated guidance systems. Furthermore, there is evidence suggesting that Iran is prioritizing the development of stealth technologies to make these missiles harder to detect and intercept. Sources indicate a push towards solid-fuelled missiles, which offer faster launch times and greater mobility, complicating defensive strategies.

"We're seeing a clear trend towards more advanced and versatile missiles," says a senior official within the US Department of Defense, speaking on background. "They're not just building more of the same; they're innovating, and they're doing it largely independently. That's the real game-changer."

The implications of this escalating missile capability are profound. The increased range and accuracy of Iranian missiles put a wider range of regional adversaries - including Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and US military assets - within reach. This directly raises the risk of miscalculation or accidental escalation in an already volatile region. A minor incident could rapidly spiral into a broader conflict, with devastating consequences.

Experts also point to Iran's growing arsenal of cruise missiles, which, while slower than ballistic missiles, are harder to detect and can be deployed from a variety of platforms, including land, sea, and potentially even from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This diversification adds another layer of complexity to the threat.

The Biden administration has voiced a desire to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), but critics argue that a renewed agreement must include stringent and verifiable limitations on Iran's missile program. Simply focusing on nuclear restrictions would leave a significant gap in regional security. There is a growing call for a more comprehensive approach that addresses both nuclear and missile proliferation.

Iran, however, consistently maintains that its missile program is purely defensive in nature, a legitimate means of deterring aggression and safeguarding its national sovereignty. Officials argue that linking the missile program to the nuclear issue is an attempt to unfairly constrain Iran's right to self-defense. They also reiterate that the two programs are entirely separate.

Western intelligence agencies, however, remain unconvinced. They believe that Iran's ballistic missiles, while not currently designed to deliver nuclear warheads, could be readily adapted for that purpose should the country ever decide to pursue nuclear weapons. This dual-use capability further underscores the urgency of addressing the missile threat.

The situation demands a re-evaluation of Western strategy towards Iran. While the nuclear issue remains important, it is no longer the sole or even the most pressing concern. A failure to address the rapidly expanding ballistic missile program risks a dangerous escalation of tensions in the Middle East and beyond. A proactive and comprehensive approach, combining diplomacy, sanctions, and enhanced regional security cooperation, is urgently needed to mitigate this growing threat.