Bloomberg: US prepares hypersonic missiles for possible strikes on Iran

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has submitted a request to the Pentagon to deploy Dark Eagle hypersonic missiles in the Middle East, Bloomberg reports, citing sources.

According to the report, CENTCOM plans to use the missiles for potential strikes on ballistic missile launchers that Iran has relocated deeper into its territory.

The request is based on the assessment that current Precision Strike Missiles cannot hit targets beyond 480 km, while the Dark Eagle system has a range of over 2,700 km (and up to 3,500 km according to other data).

Bloomberg notes that the Dark Eagle system has not yet been officially adopted into service and remains in the testing phase. The United States reportedly has no more than eight such missiles, each estimated to cost around $15 million.

On the evening of April 21, US President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely, citing “a split within the Iranian leadership.” Iranian officials, however, state that Tehran will not engage in dialogue with the United States as long as a maritime blockade of Iranian ports remains in place. Analysts say both sides are using the pause to build up military capabilities.