What is Iran's Castle Breaker missile, once used to attack US bases?

Iran's Kheibar Shekan missile (meaning "Castle Breaker" in Persian) has become one of the most talked-about weapons in the US-Israel-Iran conflict. This medium-range ballistic missile was developed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to Iranian state media, the country used this missile in retaliatory strikes against US military targets in Jordan earlier this week. Previously, on July 20, the IRGC released footage showing Kheibar Shekan missiles alongside Fateh-110, Zolfaghar, and Emad types being used in attacks on US military targets. On July 16, the IRGC announced it had targeted a US jet maintenance facility and a new command-and-control center in Azraq, Jordan, using Kheibar Shekan missiles.

The conflict entered a new phase when the US struck rocket launchers on Iran's Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, near Bandar Abbas port, on August 31. Iran responded with missiles and drones targeting US forces and assets in Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Erbil (Iraq). Iranian officials also accused the US of mistakenly hitting civilians, including a house bombed during a wedding in the city of Kuhestak, killing at least 5 people and wounding 68 others.

Characteristics of the Kheibar Shekan missile

Kheibar Shekan is one of Iran's new medium-range missile systems, with a range of about 1,450 km and a warhead payload of between 449 kg and 590 kg. The missile was unveiled in 2022, named after Khaybar—a reference to a fortified settlement linked to early Islamic history. "Shekan" means "destroyer."

Its main feature is solid fuel, which allows launch within minutes during a crisis. Solid-fuel missiles come pre-loaded and do not need fueling before launch like liquid-fuel types, a process that can take hours. This makes them easier and safer to operate, harder to detect, and requires less fuel transport logistics. Solid fuel can also be stored for long periods without degradation.

In comparison, the US in this conflict has used the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) made by Lockheed Martin, which can strike targets from 60 km to over 499 km, alongside Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of up to 2,500 km.

Iran's missile arsenal

Iran possesses a mix of short-range, medium-range, and long-range missiles. Short-range ballistic missiles (roughly 150–800 km) include Fateh variants, Zolfaghar, Qiam-1, and older Shahab-1/2 models. Medium-range missiles (about 1,500–2,000 km) include Shahab-3, Emad, Ghadr-1, Khorramshahr, Sejjil, along with newer designs such as Kheibar Shekan and Haj Qassem. These missiles put Israeli targets and US-linked sites in the Gulf within range.

Iran also has a cruise missile arsenal including Soumar, Ya-Ali, Quds, Hoveyzeh, Paveh, and Ra'ad. Soumar has a range of 2,500 km.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, previously limited Iran's missile range to 2,200 km but lifted this restriction after Israel's 12-day war against Iran in June 2025.

Latest developments

The escalation in fighting has ended a relatively quiet month-long period. The US resumed strikes on Iranian targets from August 31, with US Central Command saying it had hit IRGC sites in southern Iran. On September 2, the US military announced it had completed another round of airstrikes on Iranian military targets after Tehran retaliated.

US President Donald Trump earlier threatened further attacks if Iran retaliated, while Tehran vowed to respond to US strikes. The new fighting has also brought the Strait of Hormuz back to the center of the crisis as Iranian and US forces vie for control of the vital waterway, through which 25% of the world's oil and oil products pass in peacetime. Oil prices surged this week amid market concerns over potential disruption to energy shipping through this sea route.

The US strikes came shortly after Washington announced an economic pressure campaign against Iran, vowing to target Tehran's financial interests worldwide.