Iran has spent decades building one of the largest missile programs in the Middle East. Military analysts consider it a central part of the country’s deterrence strategy, allowing Iran to project power across the region while compensating for limitations in its conventional air force.

According to assessments cited by the United States Central Command, Iran is believed to possess more than 3,000 ballistic missiles of various types. These include both short-range and medium-range systems capable of reaching targets across much of the Middle East.

Short-range missiles play an important role in Iran’s tactical capabilities. Systems such as the Fateh missile family and the Zolfaghar missile are often described as weapons designed for nearby military targets and rapid response operations during regional conflicts.

Analysts note that these missiles can be launched in rapid succession to create saturation, or volley, attacks. By sending multiple missiles toward a target at once, the strategy aims to overwhelm air-defense systems that must intercept several incoming threats simultaneously.

Iran also operates medium-range ballistic missiles that form the backbone of its strategic deterrent. Systems such as the Shahab-3 missile, the Khorramshahr missile, and the Sejjil missile are believed to have ranges approaching 2,000 kilometers, placing many regional locations within reach.

Iranian officials say this range reflects the current limits of their missile program, though some Western analysts believe the technology could eventually support longer-range systems. Iran has also claimed advances such as the Fattah hypersonic missile, which officials say can travel at very high speeds and maneuver in flight, although independent verification of its full capabilities remains limited.