Iran deploys new Qassem Basir ballistic missile to counter US most advanced air defense systems.

On May 4, 2025, Iran’s Ministry of Defense officially announced the development and successful testing of a new medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM), designated as Qassem Basir. This missile represents an upgraded variant of the solid-fueled Haj Qassem series and was revealed during a televised interview with Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh. The missile reportedly incorporates multiple modifications intended to enhance precision, survivability against missile defenses, and resistance to electronic countermeasures. The Qassem Basir is designed to strike targets located more than 1,200 kilometers away and has been presented by Iranian sources as a platform that could penetrate advanced air defense systems, including THAAD and Patriot.
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The missile was launched from a distance exceeding 1,200 kilometers during a test conducted on April 16, 2025, reportedly hitting a pre-selected target among multiple decoys with minimal deviation and without using GPS navigation. (Picture source: Iranian MoD)

According to the Iranian Ministry of Defense, the Qassem Basir was developed based on operational feedback from previous missile operations known as True Promise 1 and True Promise 2. The missile's airframe is apparently manufactured using carbon fiber composite materials, reducing structural mass and radar cross-section. The warhead is reported to weigh approximately 500 kilograms. The propulsion system is based on solid fuel, which enables quicker launch readiness and more stable storage conditions compared to liquid-fueled alternatives. The missile was launched from a distance exceeding 1,200 kilometers during a test conducted on April 16, 2025, reportedly hitting a pre-selected target among multiple decoys with minimal deviation and without using GPS navigation.

The guidance system of the Qassem Basir features a thermal imaging sensor, allowing the missile to identify and home in on targets using heat signatures during its terminal flight phase. Iranian officials have stated that the missile does not depend on satellite navigation systems and instead utilizes electro-optical imaging and onboard inertial measurement units (IMUs). The terminal seeker is supported by additional guidance systems, ensuring redundancy and autonomous target acquisition. During the test phase, the missile operated under high-intensity electronic jamming, and the Iranian Ministry of Defense reported that this interference had no measurable effect on the missile’s performance.

Defense commentators have indicated that the Qassem Basir’s control systems enable evasive maneuvers during the final stage of flight. These maneuvers are intended to defeat interception attempts by altering the missile’s trajectory after reentry. Additionally, the missile is equipped with a maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) that separates from the booster and is designed to decrease drag, reduce radar observability, and improve ballistic efficiency. There is no confirmation on whether the MaRV performs aerodynamic glide or skip maneuvers, though available sources suggest that it may conduct pseudo-random evasive movements near the target zone.

Based on publicly available data, the Qassem Basir appears to use a simple and compact design optimized for serial production. It can reportedly be launched from mobile transporter-erector-launchers (TELs), including platforms that resemble civilian trucks, increasing the mobility and concealment of launch operations. While the missile lacks thrust vector control, which is present in other Iranian systems such as the Sejjil or Iskander-derived missiles, it reportedly achieves sufficient maneuverability through aerodynamic control surfaces and trajectory adjustments in the terminal phase. It also features eight stabilization fins at the aft end, consistent with other Iranian medium-range designs.

Technical estimates derived from Iranian sources and regional defense analysis suggest that the missile can reach speeds similar to earlier Haj Qassem missiles, potentially up to Mach 12. The missile’s length is estimated to be approximately 11 meters, with an overall weight of roughly 7 tons. Although no exact data has been released on its radar cross-section or launch platform compatibility, the use of carbon composites and optical guidance suggests that the missile is intended to operate in contested environments where early detection and interception by air defense systems are anticipated.

Statements made by the Iranian defense minister and military-affiliated accounts claim that Qassem Basir's capabilities reduce the likelihood of successful interception by adversary defense systems. According to these reports, Iran estimates that under current operational conditions, adversary systems may only intercept approximately 5% of missiles of this class. This figure, based on comparative performance during prior operations, contrasts with higher reported interception rates in previous engagements. However, it should be noted that such claims likely contain elements of internal propaganda.

Independent analyses suggest that the Qassem Basir missile, as a new member of the Haj Qassem missile platform, prioritizes modularity and production scalability. Future variants are reportedly under development, with extended ranges up to 1,800 kilometers anticipated. These potential upgrades may involve the integration of new maneuverable reentry vehicles with higher lift-to-drag ratios or additional guidance systems, aimed at increasing effectiveness against fortified or mobile targets.

The Qassem Basir is currently the longest-range Iranian missile reported to be equipped with an electro-optical seeker, surpassing earlier models such as the Zolfaghar Basir. Public sources, including videos and state media coverage, indicate that the missile was presented to military officials as part of a demonstration of its potential use against regional targets, including those located within Israel. The timing of the announcement follows a series of missile technology demonstrations by Iranian state defense organizations, including the unveiling of the Fattah hypersonic missile.