Iran says improved ballistic missile shows it will take preemptive action against threats

Iran's state media reported on Monday that a new, improved ballistic missile demonstrated the country's new doctrine: Tehran "will take action against any threat, even before it is carried out." The missile, the solid-fueled Qassem Basir, was tested against a U.S. warship, though it is unclear whether the test missile matches the description in the report. Last year, Iran unveiled the missile, which reportedly has a range of 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) and a half-ton warhead.

The U.S. responded to the missile launch by declaring it a dangerous escalation and noting that Iran's attacks at sea had previously targeted commercial shipping during six months of war. The U.S. military stated that the warships evaded the attacks, and as of Monday, 94 commercial vessels had been redirected, with three disabled.

Iranian Supreme National Security Council Head Mohsen Rezaei boasted of the missile's new capabilities, claiming the missile had been "tested" against a U.S. warship. The missile's unveiling was mentioned in Iran's state media last year and was described as having greater range, accuracy, and payload. Concerns about Iran's ballistic missile program played a role in the U.S. and Israel's attacks on Iran earlier this year, sparking the current war.

As both countries continue to assert claims about the Strait of Hormuz and the flow of shipping, global commerce firm Kpler noted a sharp drop in transits through the waterway last week. Rezaei acknowledged that the U.S. had been helping some ships transit via a route off Oman and stated that Tehran would not sink them due to environmental concerns.

Amid the ongoing tensions and uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, regional countries expressed frustration over the waterway's crucial role for shipping global supplies of oil, natural gas, and related products.