All About Fattah-1, Iran's Hypersonic Missile Fired At Israel
Tehran:
Iran on Wednesday claimed to have fired hypersonic missiles at Israel in the latest round of overnight strikes as the Islamic republic's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, launched a battle cry, calling for showing "no mercy" toward Israelis. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said the 11th wave of the proud Operation Honest Promise 3 was carried out "using Fattah-1 missiles", as they claimed the Iranian forces "have gained complete control over the skies of the occupied territories".
This is not the first time Tehran has used hypersonic missiles against Jerusalem. Iran had used dozens of Fattah-1 missiles to pound Israel during its Operation True Promise II against Jerusalem on October 1, 2024. However, this seems to be the first occasion when the said missile was used in the ongoing conflict.
What's A Hypersonic Missile?
The term "hypersonic" is often used to refer to hypersonic glide vehicles and hypersonic cruise missiles. They are highly advanced weapons and can manoeuvre mid-flight at hypersonic speed inside Earth's atmosphere, which makes it very hard to track and intercept.
Hypersonic missiles travel at Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound (about 3,800 miles per hour, 6,100 kilometres per hour). But according to a CNN report, almost all ballistic missiles reach hypersonic speed during their flights, especially as they dive towards their targets.
About The Fattah-1 Hypersonic Missile
The Fattah missile-- Iran's first hypersonic missile-- was first unveiled in 2023 and is named by Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran has fired a Fattah-1 hypersonic missile at Israel. Photo Credit: Image posted by X by @benny0692698414
According to reports, Fattah-1 is designed to get past even the most advanced missile defence systems like Israel's Iron Dome and Arrow. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps describe it as the "Israel-striker".
The missile is 12 meters in length and has a range of up to 1,400 kilometres. It runs on solid fuel using a single-stage propulsion system and can carry 200 kilograms of explosives, according to a report by Iran Watch.
Fattah-1 is equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) warhead designed to evade enemy defences and can travel at speeds of up to 17,900 kilometres per hour.
According to a CNN report, Fabian Hinz, a researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, describes the missile as a warhead placed on a "manoeuvrable reentry vehicle", which lets it shift direction briefly during its descent to avoid interception.
Israel-Iran Conflict
Despite international alarm, neither Iran nor Israel is backing down from the long-range blitz that began Friday, when Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities.
Residential areas in both countries have suffered deadly strikes since the fighting broke out, and foreign governments have scrambled to evacuate their citizens.
Israel claims its attacks have killed senior Iranian commander Ali Shadmani as well as his predecessor, Gholam Ali Rashid.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
40 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Iran Israel war updates: Indians evacuated from Iran to land in Delhi today
Heavily damaged building of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) after it was hit a few days earlier in an Israeli strike, in Tehran. Iran and Israel exchanged a new wave of air strikes on Friday, marking the eighth consecutive day of hostilities between the neighbours. The conflict intensified even as European diplomats convened in Geneva in a fresh bid to revive nuclear negotiations and stem further escalation. Israeli fighter jets targeted missile infrastructure in western Iran, the military said, while Tehran launched salvos of missiles at Haifa and Beersheba. At least 19 Israelis were reported wounded, and Iran's Human Rights Activists News Agency estimated 657 deaths and over 2,000 injuries in Iran since the conflict began. ...Read More In Geneva, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held talks with EU foreign policy chief and ministers from the UK, France, and Germany. Araghchi said Iran would not engage with the US until Israel halts its attacks, but signaled willingness to continue talks with Europe. US President Donald Trump cast doubt on European mediation efforts, asserting that 'Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us.' Trump had on Friday warned Tehran that it has only two weeks to de-escalate or face potential American intervention. Latest developments in the Iran Israel war: Israel vows a 'prolonged campaign' to cripple Iran's nuclear capacity. Iran's foreign minister holds talks in Geneva, but rules out US dialogue for now. Israel says it struck missile and nuclear-related sites in Tehran and western Iran. Trump gives Iran two weeks to de-escalate or face possible US strikes. Iran reports 657 killed, including civilians, in Israeli airstrikes since the conflict began. Iran accuses Israel of bombing five hospitals in recent attacks. Haifa and Beersheba hit by Iranian missiles; 19 injured in Israel. Arab ministers warn of regional energy disruption, call for US pressure. Follow all the updates here: June 21, 2025 6:09 AM IST Iran Israel war live: Hundreds of American citizens have departed Iran using land routes over the past week since an aerial war between the Islamic Republic and Israel broke out, according to an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters on Friday. While many left without problem, "numerous" citizens had faced "delays and harassment" while trying to exit, the cable said. It said, without giving further details, that one unidentified family had reported that two US citizens attempting to leave Iran had been detained. June 21, 2025 6:05 AM IST Iran Israel war live: The Israeli military launched a new wave of attacks targeting missile storage and launch infrastructure within Iran. Following the recent Iranian air strikes, Israeli authorities have now instructed residents that it is safe to leave protected areas, indicating that the immediate threat has passed.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Alipur village in Karnataka awaits return of residents from strife-torn Iran
Bengaluru: Amid raging Iran-Israel hostilities, fear and anxiety have gripped the tiny hamlet of Alipur — located 70 km from Bengaluru — with 105 villagers from there currently stranded in Iran. Alipur in Gauribidanur taluk of Chikkaballapur district is one of the few Muslim-majority villages in the state — constituting 90% of the population, with Shias make up 99% of the community. Linked by spiritual, religious, socio-cultural, and educational bonds, Alipur has fostered a close relationship with Iran for decades, and several services had been initiated in the village in collaboration with the Iranian govt. Iran's current supreme leader Ali Khamenei's visit to Alipur in 1981-82 to inaugurate a hospital built in collaboration with the Iran govt marks the high point in the village's ties with the West Asian country. According to the villagers, while a few of the youngsters from Alipur are studying medicine at Tehran University, the majority are enrolled at the prestigious Shia seminaries and Islamic research institutes to become Islamic clerics. Besides, some have also gone on an annual pilgrimage to the holy city Mashhad — the second most populous city in Iran. "The families back home were anxious, as panic gripped the village ever since tensions rose between Iran and Israel. There are about 105 citizens from Alipur who are currently stranded at various locations across Iran," said Shafeeq Abidi, a resident. "Currently, around 15 students are pursuing medicine (MBBS) in Tehran. Around 30 citizens have gone on a pilgrimage, and more than 50 youngsters are undergoing religious training. A few others have also gone on business trips, as the village is also a hub for gems and jewellery trade," he added. Officials from the state revenue department and Chikkaballapur police visited Alipur two days ago to collect details of the citizens who are currently in Iran. This was in keeping with the directive of the Ministry of External Affairs to bring them back home as part of Operation Sindhu, launched by the Union govt. "Until a few days ago, the families of those stranded in Iran were terrified. However, over the past two days, the families were unable to contact their loved ones. Thankfully, all of them have been moved to safe locations and are in touch with Indian embassy officials. The govt of Iran is also cooperating by providing shelter, food, and transit options," Abidi explained. "The state govt has been coordinating with the MEA for the safe return of our villagers. They will be airlifted from Iran and are expected to reach Karnataka by Sunday or Monday," Abidi added.
Mint
2 hours ago
- Mint
Deal, Not Bombs, Seen as Only Way to End Iranian Nuclear Threat
(Bloomberg) -- While President Donald Trump weighs whether to join Israel's assault on Iran, foreign policy veterans and analysts argue that a negotiated settlement, not bombs nor commandos, is the only way to eliminate the threat of Tehran gaining a nuclear weapon. 'I don't believe there's a lasting military solution to the Iranian nuclear problem,' said Caroline Zier, a former senior Pentagon official under both Republican and Democratic administrations. 'You can delay, you can set back, but the long-term solution comes at the negotiating table.' For Trump, a deal would avoid dragging the US into another regional war or driving up inflation-generating oil prices. Israel is determined to eliminate what it sees as an existential threat. And Iran is desperate to remove crippling economic sanctions. Yet such an outcome right now faces a dilemma, as Iran says it won't negotiate if Israel continues its attacks while the US and its allies hold that a ceasefire is only possible if the Iranians make substantial concessions in talks that had been underway until the Israeli air campaign began. Iran, which denies it wants a nuclear arsenal, has also said it won't give up the right to enrich uranium or eliminate its missile programs. The UK has tried to persuade the Trump administration not to give up on negotiations after five rounds of talks between Washington and Tehran. Foreign Secretary David Lammy held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff on Thursday before flying to Geneva to speak with Iran's foreign minister alongside French and German counterparts on Friday. The officials emerged from the meeting sounding hopeful but major gaps remain. Israel's demands go beyond the nuclear program, to include stopping ballistic missile development and no longer funding of regional militias, according to a person familiar with the government's intentions who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations. That position, however, is a non-starter for Iran. 'If the aggression ceases and the aggressor is held accountable for its crimes, Iran is ready to reconsider the path of diplomacy,' Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said after the meeting in Geneva, according to state-run IRNA. 'Iran's capabilities — including its missile program — are not up for negotiation.' What Bloomberg Economics Says... 'Enrichment has become a symbol of Iranian prowess and scientific advancement, especially in the context of severe sanctions. They're willing to accept real curbs on the level of enrichment, but they've said some level of enrichment on their soil is a red line.' 'A purely military solution to Iran's nuclear program doesn't exist. The only way to control or curb the program is through diplomacy.' — Dina Esfandiary, Middle East geoeconomics lead Click here to read further research. Trump still appears undecided about what to do but remains open to getting involved militarily. On Friday, he dismissed the European efforts to find a solution but ruled out the involvement of American ground troops. 'I'm giving them a period of time,' he told reporters in New Jersey, after meeting earlier Friday with his national security team. 'I would say two weeks would be the maximum.' A blueprint for a deal exists — the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action that was signed by President Barack Obama and which Trump abandoned 2018. Under that accord, Iran agreed to curbs on its nuclear program in return for sanctions relief. Earlier: Trump Sends Mixed Signals on Iran Strikes With Ceasefire Hint Daniel Kurtzer, a former US ambassador to Israel and Egypt, suggested making any new deal open-ended rather than setting an expiration date on some limits as the JCPOA did. 'A tougher agreement could lead to Iranian compliance and an end to the war, therefore an end to the Iranian nuclear program,' said Kurtzer, who is now a professor at Princeton University. Iran adhered to the JCPOA for three years, Kurtzer said. The question now is whether the Israeli military campaign would persuade Iran to abandon uranium enrichment or make its leaders more determined to retain that ability. 'We don't know whether the debilitation of their military capabilities — their missile programs and nuclear programs — will now make a convincing argument otherwise,' Kurtzer said. Yet the Iranians might be wary of entering into a new nuclear agreement with Trump after he backed out of the last one. While the focus has been on the use of America's so-called bunker buster bombs against the Fordow enrichment facility, the overall program, not to mention the sense of national identity wrapped up in its development, would be harder to eliminate. Iran has developed a heavily fortified network of sites nationwide to pursue its ambitions of uranium enrichment, as well as thousands of scientists and engineers working at dozens of locations. 'Striking Fordow successfully would be devastating but it wouldn't end the program,' Barbara Leaf, former US assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs, said in a Bloomberg Television interview. 'I want to hear a pretty clear full-throated 'yes, we're ready to negotiate,' from the regime, and we're not hearing that yet,' Leaf said. 'There's conditionality.' A key element for any deal would be a trusted interlocutor, which seems no party is currently able to play. Iran recently criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations-backed watchdog, for giving Israel an excuse to strike after it reported late last month that Iran expanded its stockpiles of near weapons-grade uranium. The agency denies the charge. 'A diplomatic solution is within reach if the necessary political will is there,' IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi told the UN Security Council. 'This opportunity should not be missed.' More stories like this are available on
