Iran Missile Arsenal Strains Israel's Defenses Post-2025 War

Amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel, Tehran's extensive ballistic missile arsenal has emerged as a pivotal factor in regional security dynamics, capable of striking Israeli territory while Israel's advanced multilayered defense systems face challenges from depleted interceptor stocks following a brief war last year.

Iran maintains one of the largest missile inventories in the Middle East, developed domestically over decades despite international sanctions. Its arsenal includes short-range ballistic missiles, such as the solid-fuel Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar, with ranges of 300 to 700 kilometers, suited for rapid deployment against nearby targets. Medium-range systems, like the Shahab-3 and its variants including the Ghadr and Emad, extend up to 2,000 kilometers, placing all of Israel within reach from Iranian soil. Officials in Tehran have stated they limit missile ranges to this threshold, though analysts monitor for potential advancements. These weapons feature improving accuracy and maneuverable reentry vehicles, enhancing their potential effectiveness. Iran also employs underground facilities, known as missile cities, to store and launch munitions, dispersing assets...