Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Brigadier General Ali Belali, when asked about the number of ballistic missiles fired towards Israel during the April 14 strike, responds with a smirk, “You have to ask the Israelis.” However, he readily displays the missiles and drones Iran used in its first-ever direct attack against Israel from Iranian soil.
“It was a punitive measure,” Belali explains, pointing to the missiles towering above him in the exhibit. His laser pointer emphasizes the scale of the missiles deployed, underscoring Iran's capability for larger-scale conflict if required.
This exhibition comes two weeks after the Middle East narrowly avoided a full-scale war, triggered by Iran firing hundreds of projectiles toward Israel in response to a suspected Israeli airstrike on an Iranian embassy compound in Damascus. The demonstration aims to assert Iran's readiness to escalate should the conflict intensify.
On April 19, Israel retaliated with a suspected attack inside Iran's borders. Both actions caused minimal damage, suggesting they were intended to reestablish deterrence. The subsequent de-escalation has reduced immediate tensions, but the potential for a broader conflict persists, especially as Israel's offensive in Gaza continues. The region remains on edge, with both Iran and Israel poised for further confrontations.
CNN recently gained rare access to an exhibit by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards showcasing Tehran's air and space capabilities, including the specific types of weapons used against Israel in April. This was the first time American media was permitted inside the exhibit, offering a unique glimpse into Iran's military strength.
Located in western Tehran, the Revolutionary Guard Aerospace Forces' permanent exhibit displays an array of long- and medium-range ballistic missiles alongside cruise missiles and drones. The exhibit is intended to illustrate the development and progress of Iran's drone and missile program.
Brigadier General Ali Belali, a former missile commander during the Iran-Iraq War, highlighted the significance of Iran's missile and drone technologies. "Today, our drones and missiles have become an important factor of strength and the execution of power in the world," Belali told CNN, referring to the missile and drone barrage against Israel as a significant achievement.
Iran's recent attack on Israel involved drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles. The skies above Israeli cities were lit by air defense systems attempting to intercept the incoming projectiles. Simultaneously, air forces from Israel, the US, the UK, France, and Jordan were actively engaging to take down Iranian drones and missiles.
Belali emphasized that despite efforts by NATO, the United States, and Arab countries to counter Iran's drones, missiles, and cruise missiles, they were unable to completely thwart Iran's offensive capabilities. "NATO, the United States, and Arab countries of the region wanted to create barriers for our drones, missiles, and cruise missiles, but they failed," he stated. "The world was not able to stop us." This declaration reflects Iran's confidence in its technological advancements and its ability to maintain a strategic advantage in the region.
The Israeli military stated that it successfully intercepted "99%" of projectiles fired by Iran, with only "a small number" of ballistic missiles reaching Israeli territory. The Iranian government claims that it managed to strike two locations inside Israel, including the Nevatim airbase in the Negev desert. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed that some ballistic missiles reached Israel, but only caused light structural damage at the airbase.
Brigadier General Ali Belali, during a presentation at the Revolutionary Guard Aerospace Forces exhibit, claimed the missiles used in the strike were highly accurate, capable of hitting targets with an accuracy of less than five meters. He identified the Ghadr and Emad missiles, both with a range of over 1,000 miles, as being involved in the attacks. These missiles can carry warheads weighing between 450 and 500 kilograms (1,102 lbs). Another missile, the Kheybar, used in the strikes, has a smaller warhead of about 320 kilograms, according to Belali.
**The Region's Largest Ballistic Missile Force**
Iran's ballistic missile program has long been a point of concern for the United States and its allies in the Middle East. The U.S. has consistently called for limitations on Iran's missile capabilities to be part of any potential agreements with Tehran. The U.S. Department of Defense has previously indicated that Iran possesses the largest ballistic missile force in the Middle East, considering its missile arsenal one of Iran's "primary tools of coercion and force projection."
Despite these concerns, Iran maintains that its missile program is intended solely for defensive purposes, often emphasizing that it is meant to safeguard the country's sovereignty and deter external threats. However, the recent exchange of projectiles between Iran and Israel has reignited fears of an escalation, with both sides demonstrating their military prowess and capacity for precision strikes. The ongoing tension underscores the complexity and volatility of the region's security dynamics.
