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Iran Says it has Developed Long-range Cruise Missile

An Iranian long-range cruise missile. Reuters
An Iranian long-range cruise missile. Reuters
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Iran Says it has Developed Long-range Cruise Missile

An Iranian long-range cruise missile. Reuters
An Iranian long-range cruise missile. Reuters

Iran has developed a cruise missile with a range of 1,650 km, a top Revolutionary Guards commander said on Friday.

Separately, Amirali Hajizadeh, the head of the Revolutionary Guards aerospace force, also spoke of Iran's often repeated threat to avenge the US killing of a top Iranian commander, saying "We are looking to kill (former US President Donald) Trump."

"Our cruise missile with a range of 1,650 km has been added to the missile arsenal of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Hajizadeh told state TV.

The television broadcast what it said was the first footage showing the new Paveh cruise missile.

Hajizadeh said Iran did not intend to kill "poor soldiers" when it launched a ballistic missile attack on US-led forces in Iraq days after Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike in 2020 in Baghdad.

"God willing, we are looking to kill Trump. (Former Secretary of State Mike) Pompeo ... and military commanders who issued the order (to kill Soleimani) should be killed," Hajizadeh said in the television interview, according to Reuters.

Iranian leaders have often vowed to avenge Soleimani in strong terms.

Iran has expanded its missile program, particularly its ballistic missiles, in defiance of opposition from the United States and expressions of concern by European countries.

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Iran’s Khatami: 60% Non-Participation Unprecedented, Signaling Majority Anger

Reformist presidential candidate Masoud Pezeshkian meets former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami after receiving endorsement from the Reformist Front before the first round of voting (Jamaran)
Reformist presidential candidate Masoud Pezeshkian meets former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami after receiving endorsement from the Reformist Front before the first round of voting (Jamaran)
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Iran’s Khatami: 60% Non-Participation Unprecedented, Signaling Majority Anger

Reformist presidential candidate Masoud Pezeshkian meets former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami after receiving endorsement from the Reformist Front before the first round of voting (Jamaran)
Reformist presidential candidate Masoud Pezeshkian meets former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami after receiving endorsement from the Reformist Front before the first round of voting (Jamaran)

Former reformist president Mohammad Khatami called the recent Iranian elections “unprecedented,” noting that over 60% of Iranians abstained from voting, which he said shows widespread anger among the population.

In the upcoming presidential runoff, hardliner Saeed Jalili and reformist Masoud Pezeshkian are vying to mobilize millions of voters on Friday, despite general apathy towards the tightly controlled election.

More than 60% of voters did not participate in the June 28 election to replace the late President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash. This record low turnout is seen by critics as a sign of no confidence in Iran.

Reuters predicts a close race on Friday between Pezeshkian, the only reformist candidate from the first round, and Jalili, a current representative of the Supreme Leader on the National Security Council and a former Revolutionary Guard member.

The candidates are promoting sharply different agendas to attract voters. Jalili advocates strict domestic and foreign policies, while Pezeshkian calls for more social and political freedoms.

Both promise to revive Iran’s struggling economy plagued by mismanagement, corruption, and sanctions since 2018 due to Iran’s nuclear program.

The ruling authorities seek high voter turnout to maintain legitimacy amid Western pressure over Iran’s nuclear advancements and regional tensions like the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Voter turnout in Iran has been declining, hitting a low of 41% in March’s parliamentary elections. In 2021, Raisi was elected with a 49% turnout after disqualifying many experienced candidates.

On his part, Khatami urged leaders to heed voter dissatisfaction, emphasizing voting as a national right and a political statement. He backed Pezeshkian, citing his integrity as a former health minister.

Khatami further urged Iranians to choose between Jalili’s path, seen as undermining rights and exacerbating poverty, and Pezeshkian’s path, which aims to enhance justice and address citizens’ needs.