Iran Deploys Hypersonic Missiles Against Israel in Escalating Conflict

Strategic Insights -

Iran has claimed possession of hypersonic missiles and has begun deploying them against Israel, reported news agency AP. The ongoing Iran-Israel conflict escalated on Wednesday when Iran fired a Fattah-1 hypersonic missile at Tel Aviv. The attack came shortly after US President Donald Trump demanded Tehran's unconditional surrender. This is not the first time Iran has used the Fattah-1 missile against Israel, as last year Iran launched about 200 ballistic missiles under "Operation True Promise II," targeting two Israeli military bases and Mossad's headquarters, Israel's intelligence agency.

Key Takeaways:

  • Iran has claimed possession of hypersonic missiles, including the Fattah-1, which was introduced in 2023 and can travel at speeds up to Mach 14 (about 15,000 km/h).
  • The Fattah-1 has a range of 1,400 kilometres and can penetrate any existing defence system, according to Iranian state media.
  • Iran's hypersonic missiles, including the Fattah-1, use manoeuvrable reentry vehicles, which can change direction during the final part of their flight, making them harder to track and stop.
  • Hypersonic missiles are defined as missiles that travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, which is five times the speed of sound.
  • Radar systems struggle to detect hypersonic missiles in time, especially when terrain blocks their view, due to their low altitude and ability to change direction mid-air.
  • Iran's use of hypersonic missiles marks a significant escalation in the conflict with Israel, following last year's "Operation True Promise II," which saw Iran launch over 200 ballistic missiles at Israeli military bases and intelligence agency headquarters.

Statistics:

  • The Fattah-1 hypersonic missile has a range of 1,400 kilometres.
  • The missile can reach speeds up to Mach 14 (about 15,000 km/h).
  • Iran launched about 200 ballistic missiles under "Operation True Promise II" last year, targeting two Israeli military bases and Mossad's headquarters.
  • Hypersonic missiles are defined as missiles that travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5.

Sources:

  • AP News
  • Reuters
  • Iranian state media
  • CNN
  • Fabian Hinz, weapons expert
  • Jack Watling, defence expert at the Royal United Services Institute
  • Times of Israel