Israel's Missile Defenses Running Short as Iran Fires Hypersonics: Report
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Israel is running low on its supply of Arrow missile interceptors just as Iran unleashes hypersonic missiles in its latest attack, according to The Wall Street Journal. Citing a senior U.S. official, the report said American defense leaders have known for months about the shortfall, raising urgent questions about Israel's ability to defend itself from high-speed, long-range threats.
The revelation coincides with Iran's announcement that it fired Fattah-1 hypersonic missiles at Israel on Wednesday. The missiles, which travel at more than five times the speed of sound and can maneuver mid-flight, pose a serious challenge to even advanced missile defense systems.
Newsweek has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces and Iran's foreign ministry.
Why It Matters
Israel's Arrow system is a key part of its multi-layered missile defense, built to intercept long-range ballistic threats. A shortage of interceptors during the sixth day of active conflict with Iran could leave major population centers increasingly vulnerable—especially as Iran now deploys faster, more evasive hypersonic missiles.
The introduction of such advanced weapons has reshaped the threat landscape. As both nations trade strikes and diplomacy stalls, military readiness—and the ability to intercept incoming fire—has become a defining factor in the escalating confrontation.
Iranian missiles face off israeli interceptive missiles over Beirut, Lebanon. June 14 2025.
Iranian missiles face off israeli interceptive missiles over Beirut, Lebanon. June 14 2025.
Nael Chahine/AP Photo
What to Know
The shortage of Arrow interceptors stems from intense missile barrages in recent days combined with limited production capacity. A senior U.S. official told the Wall Street Journal that Washington has been aware of the issue for months and has responded by deploying additional American assets across land, sea, and air in the region. However, the official did not specify how many interceptors remain or when production might replenish Israel's stockpile.
Defensive Missile System
It [Israel] will expand its target sets to increase the pain and force the Iranian regime to change its behavior.
Seth Krummrich, Retired U.S. Army Colonel
Jointly developed by Israel and the U.S., the Arrow system defends against long-range ballistic threats with layered coverage beyond Patriot and David's Sling. Arrow 2 targets missiles in the upper atmosphere, while Arrow 3 intercepts them in space. Both use high-speed "hit-to-kill" technology and support Israel's broader missile shield, including Iron Dome.
Hypersonic Retaliation
Yet hypersonic missiles like Iran's Fattah-1 pose a new and serious challenge. Their extreme speed—over five times the speed of sound—combined with mid-flight maneuverability makes them far harder to track and intercept, even for advanced systems like Arrow.
Iran said it had fired Fattah-1 hypersonic missiles at Tel Aviv, saying the strikes "shook the shelters" across the city. Iran state media released video footage of the launches, highlighting Tehran's expanding military capabilities. Alongside the hypersonic missiles, Iran also deployed a "swarm of drones" targeting Israeli territory, further complicating the defense landscape.
Video released by Iran's IRGC show the moment Iran launched missiles against Israel
Follow https://t.co/B3zXG74hnU pic.twitter.com/Cc1DXZyGek — Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) June 18, 2025
Israel retaliated with strikes on weapons factories and a centrifuge plant in Tehran, after warning civilians to evacuate the area. The IDF also intercepted two drones over the Dead Sea. Though casualties were minimal, the use of advanced missiles and drones marks a sharp escalation in the conflict's intensity and sophistication.
US Weighs Options
Amid the intensifying conflict, President Donald Trump reiterated his support for Israel but signaled growing impatience with Tehran. While the administration has so far avoided direct military engagement, U.S. officials confirmed that the USS Nimitz carrier strike group has been deployed to the region, and Trump convened his National Security Council to discuss possible options. No decision on intervention has been announced, but officials say military involvement remains under consideration. The developments came as Iran claimed to have struck what it described as a Mossad intelligence facility inside Israel, escalating tensions further.
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025.
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025.
Baz Ratner/AP Photo
What People Are Saying
Seth Krummrich, Retired U.S. Army Colonel and Vice President at Global Guardian told Newsweek: "Initially, Israel focused primarily on military and nuclear targets. If Israel does not achieve the effects it wants, it will expand its target sets to increase the pain and force the Iranian regime to change its behavior. I expect to see expanded targeting of governmental facilities and oil and gas infrastructure to continue to increase the pain level to an intolerable level that Iran has to negotiate. Iran will continue to launch ballistic missile strikes against any Israeli targets with the goal of wearing down Israel's will and reducing Israel's interceptor stockpile to do more damage."
What Happens Next
As missile technology evolves and tensions rise, Israel's ability to restore interceptor supplies may shape not only the conflict's trajectory but the broader stability of the region. Whether the U.S. remains on the sidelines or steps in more directly could depend on how long Israel can hold the line.
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