The US Central Command is reportedly seeking approval to deploy the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile, also known as the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), to the Middle East. This missile, which is still under development, is designed for long-range, high-precision strikes and can exceed speeds of Mach 5, making it difficult for current defense systems to intercept. With a range of approximately 1,700 miles (about 2,700 km), it is intended to target heavily defended assets such as air defense systems and command centers deep within enemy territory. The move comes amid rising tensions with Iran, which has repositioned its ballistic missile launchers beyond the range of existing US systems. The situation has escalated since late February, following coordinated strikes by the US and Israel against Iranian targets, leading to Iranian retaliatory actions and a blockade of Iranian ports by the US. Each Dark Eagle missile is estimated to cost around $15 million, and its deployment would be limited to high-priority targets.