Iran Khorramshahr-4 Is the Most Advanced Long-Range Missile Able to Counter Modern Air Defenses.

Iran’s Khorramshahr-4, unveiled in May 2023, represents the most advanced confirmed ballistic missile in Tehran’s inventory, featuring a more extended range and a heavier payload. The system matters because it strengthens Iran’s regional deterrence while complicating missile defense planning across the Middle East.

Iran’s long-range missile development continues to shape the military balance across the Middle East, with the Khorramshahr-4 ballistic missile standing out as the most technically advanced system Tehran has publicly confirmed. First revealed by Iranian defense officials in May 2023, the missile, also known as Kheibar, builds on earlier Khorramshahr variants with an extended range, a substantially larger payload, and, according to Iranian sources, upgraded guidance and maneuverability, signaling a steady refinement of Iran’s strategic strike capabilities.
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Iran’s Khorramshahr-4 ballistic missile is displayed during its official unveiling ceremony in Tehran in May 2023. The liquid-fueled medium-range missile, also known as Kheibar, features a reported 2,000 km range and the heaviest warhead currently associated with Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal, underscoring Tehran’s continued investment in long-range strike capabilities. (Picture source: Wikimedia - Mehrnews)

While open-source chatter increasingly points to a potential follow-on system unofficially labeled Khorramshahr-5, no publicly verified data confirms its existence. Nevertheless, the trajectory outlined by the Khorramshahr program presents a growing threat to U.S. and allied forces across the Central Command area of responsibility.

The Khorramshahr-4 is classified as a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) and operates using a single-stage liquid-fuel propulsion system. Its range is estimated at 2,000 km, which places nearly all U.S. military installations in the Gulf, the entirety of Israel, and key NATO infrastructure in southeastern Europe within potential strike distance. This includes bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, as well as offshore assets operating in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Arabian Sea.

One of the most critical attributes of the Khorramshahr-4 is its payload capacity. At approximately 1,500 to 1,800 kilograms, it carries the heaviest warhead among Iran’s currently known missile inventory. This capability exceeds the conventional MRBM class and raises concerns among non-proliferation analysts. A warhead of this magnitude meets theoretical thresholds for nuclear-capable delivery systems, though Tehran continues to deny any interest in nuclear armament.

Reports suggest the Khorramshahr-4 is equipped with a separable reentry vehicle, potentially featuring a maneuverable reentry mechanism. Its mid-course guidance system, likely based on inertial navigation with satellite corrections, could reduce circular error probable (CEP) and provide Iran with improved accuracy against high-value point targets. This represents a notable shift from older models designed primarily for area targeting.

Iranian state media has claimed the missile’s launch preparation time has been reduced compared to earlier liquid-fuel designs. This could indicate the introduction of automated fueling procedures or improvements in mobile launch capability. Although operational transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) configurations for the Khorramshahr-4 have not been publicly confirmed, Iran’s missile doctrine increasingly favors mobility and concealment to ensure survivability.

The regional threat envelope shaped by the Khorramshahr-4 is considerable. From launch sites within Iran, this missile is capable of targeting key U.S. and partner facilities such as Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Dhafra in the UAE, the Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, and the Israeli defense infrastructure around Tel Aviv, Dimona, and Palmachim. The missile’s heavy warhead could be configured for conventional high-explosive payloads, submunitions, or area-denial roles. These parameters pose new challenges to U.S.-built missile defense networks such as THAAD and Patriot PAC-3 batteries across the Gulf, and to Israel’s Arrow system, which may face saturation risk if multiple Khorramshahr-class missiles are launched simultaneously.

Emerging alongside this established capability are unverified reports of a new variant, identified as Khorramshahr-5. This system has appeared in regional state-aligned media and unofficial defense commentary, accompanied by speculative claims that it could extend its range to 5,000-12,000 kilometers. Such distances would elevate the platform to intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) classification and drastically expand its strike potential beyond the Middle East into Europe, Asia, and even parts of North America.

Other unverified claims suggest Khorramshahr-5 may use solid-fuel propulsion and integrate hypersonic terminal maneuvering, reportedly reaching speeds up to Mach 16. There is also speculation that the system borrows from Iran’s space launch vehicle programs, including dual-use technologies tested during orbital launches from the Semnan Space Center. However, there is no independently verified flight-test data, imagery, or official acknowledgement from Iranian defense entities confirming that such a system is in development.

Analysts at leading research institutions, including the Institute for Science and International Security and Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, continue to treat Khorramshahr-5 as a hypothetical or aspirational project. At present, open-source intelligence does not confirm the existence of a tested or deployable platform beyond Khorramshahr-4.

Even so, the narrative surrounding Khorramshahr-5 is strategically significant. Tehran has frequently used ambiguity and information operations to influence regional threat perceptions. By fueling speculation about an intercontinental strike capability, Iran compels adversaries to allocate resources to contingency planning and missile defense adjustments, regardless of whether such missiles are physically operational.

For the United States and its Gulf allies, the continued presence of Khorramshahr-4 and the specter of a longer-range follow-on system reinforce the urgency of enhancing regional early warning networks, expanding missile defense interoperability, and adapting to a more flexible threat environment. The potential use of precision-guided MRBMs against forward-deployed air bases, ports, or C4ISR infrastructure could severely degrade coalition force projection capabilities in the event of a significant conflict.

As the Khorramshahr program evolves, its significance lies not only in technical specifications but in its strategic messaging. Iran continues to position its ballistic missile forces as a primary instrument of national defense and regional deterrence. Whether or not a Khorramshahr-5 materializes, the path established by the Khorramshahr-4 remains a defining feature of Iran’s missile doctrine and an enduring challenge for the region’s security architecture.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.