Iran's 'Castle Breaker' missile reshapes the US Gulf war
DIRECT ANSWER: Iran's Kheibar Shekan, or "Castle Breaker," is a mobile ballistic missile with a 900-mile range and a satellite-guided warhead that can maneuver during its final descent. Defense experts told USA TODAY it has damaged U.S. bases across the Persian Gulf during the six-month war with the U.S. and Israel, including deadly strikes in Jordan.
Key Takeaways
- The Kheibar Shekan can change course on reentry, complicating U.S. missile defenses built for fixed-trajectory threats.
- Iran confirmed using Castle Breaker missiles against two Jordanian air bases on Aug. 31, 2026, after a U.S. strike on Larak Island.
- Analysts say the missile helped damage infrastructure at 15 or more U.S. military sites, forcing a reassessment of America's Gulf footprint.
- Tehran has floated unverified claims of preparing up to 15,000 intercontinental ballistic missiles, though U.S. intelligence has questioned Iran's ICBM capability.
- Pentagon officials insist U.S. forces remain fully operational, but retired generals warn Gulf bases may be too vulnerable to keep using.
What Is Iran's Castle Breaker Missile?
Iran first unveiled the Kheibar Shekan in 2022. The solid-fuel weapon rides on mobile launchers that are hard to detect before firing, and it can reach major U.S. installations in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.
Unlike conventional ballistic missiles, the Castle Breaker adjusts its trajectory in the terminal phase. Former CIA analyst Jim Lamson told USA TODAY its guidance system can strike within 10 meters of a target and evade two or three interceptors. Since 2024, Iran has added improved satellite guidance and barrages that mix missiles with drone swarms.
Where Has the Kheibar Shekan Been Used?
Iran's military has deployed the missile extensively during the war President Donald Trump launched jointly with Israel on Feb. 28, 2026. Iranian state media and U.S. analysts say it has struck the U.S. naval hub in Bahrain and other regional bases.
On July 17, Iranian ballistic missiles and drones hit Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, killing three American service members. Satellite imagery showed destroyed hangars and damaged housing. Former U.S. intelligence officer Jonathan Hackett described the strike as a "live combat test" of the Kheibar Shekan.
On Aug. 31, Iran's Tasnim News Agency confirmed Kheibar Shekan missiles struck Muwaffaq Salti and King Hussein air base in Jordan in retaliation for a U.S. attack on Larak Island, claiming significant damage to fighter-jet infrastructure.
Why Does Castle Breaker Matter for U.S. Strategy?
A Washington Post analysis cited by USA TODAY found Iranian missile and drone attacks damaged or destroyed at least 228 structures across at least 15 U.S. military sites in the Middle East. Retired four-star Gen. Barry McCaffrey wrote on X that the United States had "probably permanently lost access to 15 Persian Gulf bases."
McCaffrey told USA TODAY the Kheibar Shekan's agility represents "a significant change in technology." He estimated Iran fired 6,000 drones and ballistic missiles while U.S. forces intercepted about 1,500. As naval assets reposition, USS George Washington commanding officer Capt. Nicholas DeLeo said roughly 5,000 sailors remain on mission in the Arabian Sea near Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.
How Credible Are Iran's Broader Missile Claims?
Separate from the Kheibar Shekan's battlefield record, multiple reports cited by the Times of India claim Tehran could be preparing as many as 15,000 intercontinental ballistic missiles. That figure remains unverified. A 2025 Defense Intelligence Agency assessment said Iran could potentially develop a militarily viable ICBM capability by around 2035 if it chose to pursue one.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth told Congress in July that most Iranian missiles are still intercepted, though Democrats pressed him on why bases suffered so much damage. For more on how precision weapons are reshaping modern conflict, explore our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage.