Iran’s new missile is said to be twice as light as earlier models meaning it can be used for greater operational range. The new composite-built engine allows the Ra’d-500 to now reach targets at distances further than 500km, a great improvement from previous iterations that could only reach around 300km. The engine contains carbon fibres not previously used in earlier models like the Fateh 110 missile.

The new material is said to be able to withstand pressures as high as 100 Bar and a temperature of up to 3,000 degrees Celsius.

The chief of the elite Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) major General Hossein Salami explained the new engine could also be used for the upper stages of light spacecrafts.

The video footage was released by the Iranian state media and showed the missile during an event in addition to test launch footage.

This comes after heightened tension between Tehran and the US, sparking fears of World War 3 following the killing of General Qassem Soleimani.

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Iran vowed revenge on the US for this killing despite the US army being militarily superior.

Iran International Editor and Presenter Sadeq Saba explained to Express.co.uk Iran considered it very important to appear powerful.

Mr Saba explained the Iran government wanted an opportunity to “slap the face” of the US by promising revenge and launching an attack against the nation.

He added Iran was in a weak position and would not actively choose to flare up tensions.

Mr Saba said: “The Iranians are not in a situation really to confront the Americans.

“The Iranians do not have the military capability as Iran is also dealing with the cover-up of the Ukrainian airline plane that was shot down.

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“Iran is under immense internal pressure for lying to the population.

“Iran is in a weak position so I don’t think they really want to confront the Americans at the moment.

“At the moment I don’t think there is an immediate threat of flaring up tensions but the roots of tension are there.”

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