The PrSM missile used in Iran has become one of the most significant developments in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran.
The US military confirmed that the new Precision Strike Missile was deployed during the early stages of the war as part of a major offensive known as Operation Epic Fury.
According to the US Central Command, the weapon was used to strike targets deep inside Iranian territory, demonstrating a new level of long-range precision capability.
The use of the Precision Strike Missile represents the first time the weapon has been employed in combat since it was delivered to the US Army in late 2023. The system is designed to replace older long-range missiles and provide more accurate strikes over greater distances.
Military officials say the new missile gives the United States a powerful advantage in modern battlefield operations.
The conflict between the US and Iran has intensified over the past week, with missile attacks and air strikes reported across several areas of the Middle East. The war, which began after coordinated US-Israeli attacks on Iranian military infrastructure, has expanded into a wider regional confrontation involving multiple military technologies and advanced weapons systems.
US Central Command announced the use of the missile in a statement shared on social media. The military command described the system as providing “unrivaled deep strike capability” for American forces.
Admiral Brad Cooper, who leads CENTCOM, praised military personnel for using innovative weapons systems that create new strategic challenges for adversaries.
Despite confirming the weapon’s use, the US military has not revealed where the missiles were launched from or which specific locations inside Iran were targeted. Analysts believe the missiles may have been fired from mobile rocket launchers positioned at US military bases across the Gulf region.
The Precision Strike Missile, commonly known as PrSM, is developed by Lockheed Martin and designed to provide long-range attack capabilities for ground forces. It can strike targets located between roughly 60 kilometres and more than 499 kilometres away, making it one of the most advanced surface-to-surface missiles currently deployed by the US military.
The missile is compatible with the HIMARS missile system and the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System. These launch platforms allow military units to fire long-range guided missiles quickly while remaining mobile on the battlefield. HIMARS launchers are particularly valued because they can relocate rapidly after firing, making them difficult for enemy forces to detect and destroy.
Each HIMARS unit is capable of carrying several guided rockets or larger missiles depending on the mission. The new PrSM design allows two missiles to fit into a single launcher pod, doubling the number of long-range weapons available compared with older missile systems.
One of the key advantages of the PrSM is its modular architecture. The missile was designed with what engineers call “open systems architecture”, meaning its internal components can be upgraded or replaced more easily than traditional missile designs.
This approach allows the military to add new sensors, guidance technology or targeting capabilities without redesigning the entire weapon.
The missile also includes an advanced safety feature known as an insensitive munitions payload. This type of warhead is engineered to reduce the risk of accidental detonation if the missile is exposed to fire or damage before launch. At the same time, it remains fully capable of detonating as intended when triggered during combat operations.
Another major improvement offered by the new missile is its extended range. The PrSM is expected to replace the older Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, which has a maximum range of around 300 kilometres.
The new system can strike targets well beyond that distance while using the same launcher vehicles.
Because the missile can travel further without requiring new launch platforms, military planners view it as a cost-effective upgrade to existing artillery capabilities.
Units already operating HIMARS systems can deploy the new missiles with minimal adjustments to their equipment.
The introduction of the PrSM into combat also has geopolitical significance. The missile’s maximum range exceeds the limits previously imposed by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, a Cold War-era agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union that restricted certain land-based missiles.
That treaty, signed in 1987 by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, banned the deployment of ground-launched missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometres. The agreement was considered a key pillar of nuclear arms control during the final years of the Cold War.
However, the United States withdrew from the treaty in 2019 during the administration of Donald Trump, citing concerns about Russian violations. After leaving the agreement, Washington resumed development of several new missile systems that would previously have been restricted by the treaty’s limits.
The deployment of the PrSM reflects the strategic shift that followed the collapse of the INF agreement. Military planners have increasingly focused on developing longer-range conventional weapons capable of striking targets deep behind enemy lines without relying on aircraft.
In the current conflict with Iran, the missile’s range could allow US forces stationed in Gulf countries to hit Iranian targets without crossing the border or exposing aircraft to air defence systems. Several US military installations in the region are located within the missile’s operational range.
Countries including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates host American military facilities. Some of these bases lie within roughly 400 kilometres of Iranian territory, placing potential targets within reach of long-range artillery systems like the PrSM.
The missile is not the only advanced weapon being used in the war. The United States is also deploying a range of other long-distance strike systems, including unmanned attack drones, cruise missiles and older tactical missile systems.
Among these systems are one-way attack drones designed to travel hundreds of kilometres before striking their targets. The US military has also relied on MQ-9 Reaper drones for surveillance and precision strikes throughout the region.
In addition, long-range cruise missiles have been used to target infrastructure and military facilities. These missiles can travel distances of up to 1,600 kilometres, allowing them to reach targets far beyond the range of most battlefield artillery systems.
Military analysts say the combination of drones, cruise missiles and the new Precision Strike Missile creates a layered strike capability. Each system provides different advantages in terms of range, speed, accuracy and cost.
For example, drones are often used for reconnaissance and targeted strikes against smaller objectives, while cruise missiles are capable of travelling very long distances with high precision.
Ground-launched missiles such as the PrSM can deliver rapid attacks from mobile launch platforms.
This mix of technologies allows commanders to select the most effective weapon for each mission. It also complicates defensive strategies for opposing forces because different types of threats must be detected and intercepted simultaneously.
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The combat debut of the PrSM missile used in Iran may therefore signal a broader transformation in how modern wars are fought. As militaries invest more heavily in long-range precision weapons, traditional battlefield lines become less relevant and conflicts can be fought across much larger geographic areas.
Defence experts believe the first use of the PrSM missile used in Iran will likely be studied closely by militaries around the world. Its performance in real combat conditions could shape future decisions about missile development and deployment.
For now, the introduction of the Precision Strike Missile marks another escalation in the rapidly evolving war between the United States and Iran, highlighting how advanced technology continues to reshape the dynamics of global conflict.
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