On May 4, 2025, Tehran announced it had tested a new ballistic missile system. Iranian state television swiftly began broadcasting propaganda videos showcasing the test. However, there was a minor oversight: one of the propaganda videos posted on social media inadvertently revealed on-screen data showing the missile’s drag coefficient, a sensitive piece of information that could make it easier for Iran’s enemies to block the missiles. The new ballistic missile, named “Qasem Basir”, is the latest addition to Tehran’s extensive family of ballistic missiles. It has a range of 1,300km, a lightweight carbon fibre body along with a 500kg warhead, and a camera to ensure precise targeting. Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, Iran’s defence minister, who appeared prominently in the propaganda footage, claimed that the new missile system was developed based on experiences gained during two recent Iranian missile attacks against Israel in April and October 2024. “No defence system, neither THAAD nor Patriot, is capable of intercepting Qasem Basir missiles,” Nasirzadeh asserted. In the version aired on television by state broadcasters, the image from the missile’s camera …