Russia secretly helped Iran develop hypersonic cruise missiles

Russia has secretly helped Iran develop cruise missiles capable of flying at several times the speed of sound, according to the Financial Times. The weapons could threaten U.S. aircraft carriers and other warships, which would face difficulties intercepting them.

The missile development program, code-named C430L, began in 2023. Financial Times reporting indicates that communications linked to the program continued between Iranian and Russian participants until this summer.

The report places the program in the context of Iran’s recent military capabilities. During attacks launched by the United States and Israel against Iran in February, Iran managed to strike land bases across the Middle East with drones and missiles. It did not achieve the same success against U.S. naval forces.

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This is the transfer from Russia of strategically extremely sensitive military technology that the Iranians have wanted to acquire for decades.

Fabian Hinz, an analyst specialising in Iranian missiles at the British research organisation Conflict Armament Research, described the alleged transfer as highly sensitive. “This is the transfer from Russia of strategically extremely sensitive military technology that the Iranians have wanted to acquire for decades,” Hinz told the Financial Times. He said such a program would require political approval from Russia’s highest leadership.

Iran has not put hypersonic cruise missiles into service, according to the report. Russia and Iran did not respond to the Financial Times’ requests for comment on the development program.

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Such a program would require political approval from Russia’s highest leadership.