Why Iran’s Ballistic Missiles Are More Dangerous Than Its Nuclear Program

Iran’s nuclear program has been the focus of international attention and concern for decades, but there is another aspect of Iran’s military capabilities that poses a greater and more immediate threat: its ballistic missile program.

Iran has the largest and most diverse ballistic missile arsenal in the Middle East, with missiles that can reach targets up to 2,000 kilometers away. Iran has also improved the accuracy and reliability of its missiles, making them more capable of striking military and critical infrastructure targets. Iran’s missiles can carry conventional, chemical, biological, or nuclear warheads, depending on Iran’s intentions and capabilities.

Iran’s ballistic missile program is not subject to any international restrictions or inspections, unlike its nuclear program, which is regulated by the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Iran has repeatedly rejected any negotiations on its missile program, claiming it is a sovereign right and a defensive necessity.

Iran’s ballistic missile program is also a source of regional instability and proliferation. Iran has supplied its missiles and related technologies to its allies and proxies, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Shiite militias in Iraq. These groups have used Iranian-supplied missiles and rockets to attack Israel, Saudi Arabia, and U.S. forces in the region, creating tension and escalation.

Iran’s ballistic missile program could also enable it to deliver nuclear weapons in the future, if it decides to pursue them. Iran has already demonstrated some of the technologies needed for an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), such as launching satellites into orbit using space launch vehicles (SLVs). Although Iran claims that its SLVs are for peaceful purposes, they share many similarities with ICBMs, such as propulsion systems, staging mechanisms, and reentry vehicles.

Therefore, Iran’s ballistic missile program poses a serious and growing threat to regional and international security, and it should be addressed through diplomatic and economic pressure, as well as military deterrence. The international community should work together to prevent Iran from developing and deploying more advanced and longer-range missiles, as well as from transferring them to its proxies. The U.S. and its allies should also maintain a credible and effective defense posture against Iran’s missile threats, including through missile defense systems and counterforce options.

Iran’s nuclear program is still a matter of concern, but it is not the only or the main challenge that Iran poses to the world. Iran’s ballistic missile program is more dangerous and more urgent, and it deserves more attention and action.