Iran displays Khorramshahr-4 missile as talks with US stall

Iran showcased its Khorramshahr-4 long-range ballistic missile at Tehran’s Revolution Square on Tuesday evening, state media reported, as uncertainty deepened over a second round of peace talks with the United States.

Footage from Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting showed crowds waving flags at the rally where the missile was exhibited.

The Khorramshahr-4 is one of Iran's advanced medium- to long-range ballistic missiles, with an estimated range of about 2,000 kilometers. The warhead is capable of carrying more than one ton of high-explosive payload, making it one of the largest warhead configurations developed within Iran, according to media reports.

The display came as U.S. Vice President JD Vance remained in Washington instead of departing for Pakistan, and Iranian officials signaled they would not resume talks until the issue of the naval blockade is resolved. Ahmad Naderi, a member of parliament’s presidium, told the Iranian Students’ News Agency that negotiations would be on hold until the blockade is lifted.

Iran displays Khorramshahr-4 missile as talks with US stall

Iran displays Khorramshahr-4 missile as talks with US stall

Iran displays Khorramshahr-4 missile as talks with US stall

Iran displays Khorramshahr-4 missile as talks with US stall

Russian media have widely condemned Japan's revision of its arms export rules, warning that the move marks a major shift in Japan's defense policy and poses new risks to regional stability.

The Japanese government officially revised "the three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology" and their implementation guidelines on Tuesday to allow overseas sales of weapons, including those with lethal capabilities, despite waves of large-scale protests, local media reported.

The revisions scrap rules that limit Japan's defense equipment exports to five non-combat categories, namely rescue, transport, warning, surveillance, and mine sweeping.

Under the new policy, weapon exports will not require prior parliamentary approval. Instead, the government's National Security Council will make export-related decisions, with the Diet informed only after approval.

The Russian Business Consulting Daily commented that the changes marks a major shift in Japan's defense policy.

Russia's Vzglyad notes that Australia has signed a contract with Japan for its Navy to purchase its first three frigates from Japan.

Meanwhile, RIA Novosti reported that tens of thousands of Japanese citizens have rallied in Tokyo to protest Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's attempts to revise the constitution.

The revisions, approved by the Cabinet and the National Security Council, coincide with the kickoff of the three-day spring festival at the notorious war-linked Yasukuni Shrine, a symbol of Japanese militarism and wartime aggression.

Takaichi sent a ritual "masakaki" tree offering to the controversial shrine, which honors 14 convicted Class-A Japanese war criminals from World War II.

Russian media slam Japan for revising non-combat arms export policy