Security alert: Iranian missiles could reach Europe, including Romania. The warning of Israel's diplomacy
Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs published on Instagram on Monday an image showing the range of Iranian ballistic missiles. According to the map presented, they could reach almost the center of Poland, and Romania would be fully covered.
Iranian missiles can hit Europe PHOTO: Instagram/ @israelmfa
In the description of the post, the Israeli institution issues a firm warning: “Iran's Ballistic Capability Extends Beyond the Middle East. Iran's Regime of Ayatollahs Threatens World Peace”.
The published image suggests that Romania would be entirely within the range of Iranian missiles. The aerial distance between Romania and Iran is approximately 2,876 kilometers, which indicates that Tehran may possess at least medium-range missiles.
What is a ballistic missile
Ballistic missiles are projectiles that are initially propelled by rocket engines, and then continue their unpropelled, free-falling trajectory until they hit the target. The maximum distance they can travel depends on the power of the engines and the weight of the transported load.
To increase range, missiles can be built in multiple stages, in a configuration called “natural setting“, in which several engines are placed on top of each other. According to the Arms Control Association, this technology allows for a significant extension of the flight distance.
Ballistic missiles are divided into four main categories based on the distance they can travel. Short-range missiles have a range of less than 1,000 kilometers. Medium-range ones can reach distances between 1,000 and 3,000 kilometers, and intermediate-range ones reach between 3,000 and 5,500 kilometers. Intercontinental ballistic missiles, known as ICBMs, can exceed 5,500 kilometers.
Short- and medium-range missiles are generally referred to as “theater ballistic missiles“, while ICBMs or long-range missiles are considered “strategic ballistic missiles“.
Another classification criterion is the type of fuel used. Rockets can run on liquid or solid fuel. Solid fuel ones are easier to maintain and require a shorter launch preparation time because the fuel and oxidizer are already combined. In the case of liquid-fuel rockets, the two components must be kept separate until launch, which requires additional preparation operations.
