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New York Times
a day ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Israel Says Iran Struck With Missile Armed With Cluster Munitions
The Israeli military said Iran launched a missile with a cluster munition warhead at a populated area in central Israel on Thursday, according to Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, a military spokesman — the first report of that type of weapon being used in the current war. Iran's mission to the United Nations declined to respond to the Israeli claim, which was linked to a ballistic missile that struck Or Yehuda, Israel, and nearby towns. No one was killed by the missile or its bomblets, and it was unclear if anyone was injured. ` Cluster munitions have warheads that burst and scatter numerous bomblets, and are known for causing indiscriminate harm to civilians. More than 100 countries have signed on to a 2008 agreement to prohibit them — but Israel and Iran have not adopted the ban, nor have major powers like the United States, Russia, China and India. Videos and photographs verified by The New York Times show an unexploded bomblet on the patio of an apartment building in Or Yehuda after an Iranian missile barrage on Thursday. The object, which resembles a narrow artillery shell or rocket warhead, is most likely a submunition similar to those that have armed some Iranian ballistic missiles since 2014, according to Fabian Hinz, a research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a London-based think tank. 'The chances of hitting something increase when you have a missile that might not be as pinpoint-accurate as you would like it to be,' Mr. Hinz said in an interview. 'Sometimes you might not need that much destructive force — imagine you want to hit an air-defense or a missile-defense system. These things are not armored, they are pretty soft targets, so just having a geographical spread of the attack could be worth it even if the explosive force and penetrative power is less.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Fattah-1 explained: How Iran's hypersonic missile could spell trouble for Israel's iron dome in Iranian Israeli conflict
Iran's reported use of its hypersonic Fattah-1 missile has brought renewed attention to a weapon designed to challenge conventional missile defence systems, as the war between Iran and Israel escalates. What is the Fattah 1? Unveiled in 2023 and named by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Fattah-1 is Iran's first hypersonic missile. According to Iranian sources, it is capable of travelling at Mach 5 — five times the speed of sound — and includes a manoeuvrable reentry vehicle, allowing it to change course during flight. Threat to Israeli missile defences These features are designed to help evade interception by systems such as Israel's Iron Dome and Arrow missile defences. The Fattah-1 runs on solid fuel, has a reported range of up to 1,400 kilometres, and uses a single-stage propulsion system. Iranian officials have called the missile an 'Israel-striker', and a banner displayed at its unveiling in Tehran read, '400 seconds to Tel Aviv' in Hebrew. Turning point in warfare This week's launch marks the first publicly acknowledged use of the Fattah-1. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed its use through a press release on June 18. Fabian Hinz, a researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told CNN the missile's design likely incorporates a reentry vehicle with manoeuvrability, enhancing its evasion capacity. Hypersonic weapons are notoriously difficult to detect and intercept. Unlike traditional ballistic missiles, which follow predictable trajectories, hypersonic glide vehicles can veer mid-course, leaving defence systems with limited response windows. The broader implications of Fattah-1 being used are significant. If the Fattah-1 demonstrates operational reliability, it may compel Israel to reassess the effectiveness of its missile shield. It also signals Iran's intent to firmly respond to Israel's unprovoked attacks. Hostilities intensify Reports coming from Israel suggests the country is running low on interceptors, further suggesting Iran's stronghold in the conflict. As of June 18, the ongoing Israel-Iran exchange has resulted in over 200 deaths across both countries, with hundreds more injured. Iran's military has vowed additional retaliation, while US officials monitor the situation closely after President Donald Trump demanded Iran's 'unconditional surrender.' While the long-term impact of the Fattah-1 remains uncertain, its emergence underscores the evolving nature of modern missile warfare and the growing complexity of Middle Eastern security dynamics.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
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.
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First Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
What is the Fattah-1 missile that Iran has launched at Israel?
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has referred to the Fattah-1 missile as the 'Israel-striker'. Reports now suggest that Iran has fired the 'hypersonic' missile towards Israel. The Fattah-1 is Iran's first hypersonic missile, known for its high speed, precision, and ability to change its path during flight. This appears to be the first time the missile has been used in the current conflict, although it was previously fired during Iran's attack on Israel on October 1, 2024 read more The escalating tit-for-tat has increased fears of a full-scale war, pushing an already tense region deeper into crisis. Reuters The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that it fired a Fattah-1 'hypersonic' missile at Israel. Notably, the Fattah missile, which was first unveiled in 2023, was named by Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Read Israel Iran conflict live updates Dozens of Fattah-1 missiles had earlier been fired at Jerusalem during Iran's attack on Israel on October 1, 2024. However, this seems to be the first time the missile has been used in the ongoing conflict. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ALSO READ | First Gaza, now Iran: What two back-to-back wars will cost Israel What exactly is the Fattah missile, and how dangerous is it? How could it impact the war in West Asia? Let's take a look: What is the Fattah-1 missile? How dangerous is it? The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has called the Fattah-1 the 'Israel-striker'. At the time of its unveiling, a large banner was put up in Tehran with a message in Hebrew that read, '400 seconds to Tel Aviv.' The Fattah-1 is Iran's first hypersonic missile, known for its high speed, accuracy and ability to change course mid-flight. According to reports, it is designed to get past even advanced missile defence systems such as Israel's Iron Dome and Arrow. This seems to be the first time the missile has been used in the ongoing conflict. Reuters The term 'hypersonic' usually refers to weapons that can travel within Earth's atmosphere at very high speeds, including hypersonic glide vehicles and hypersonic cruise missiles. These are difficult to intercept because they can move at high speed and change direction quickly. According to Iran Watch, the Fattah-1 has a range of up to 1,400 kilometres. It runs on solid fuel and uses a single-stage propulsion system. Iran says the Fattah-1 reaches Mach 5, five times the speed of sound, or about 6,100 kilometres per hour (around 3,800 miles per hour). However, military experts say that most ballistic missiles also reach hypersonic speeds as they near their targets. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Fabian Hinz, a researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told CNN that the missile likely has a warhead placed on a 'manoeuvrable reentry vehicle', which lets it shift direction briefly during its descent to avoid interception. But some experts are not sure if Iran actually used the missile on Tuesday night. Trevor Ball, a former US Army explosive ordnance technician, told CNN: 'It's one of their newest ballistic missiles, and they have a lot to lose from using it.' He added, 'Israel would get an idea of its capabilities just from being used. There's also the chance it could fail to function, giving Israel an even greater idea of its capabilities. They get free propaganda and risk nothing by saying it was used.' ALSO READ | How an Israeli strike mid-broadcast turned an Iranian anchor into a national hero Israel-Iran conflict: The latest developments Israel has defended its large-scale attacks, saying they are meant to stop Iran from advancing its nuclear ambitions. At least 224 people have been killed in Iran in the strikes. An explosion at a residential compound after Israeli attacks in Tehran. AP In response, Iran has fired around 400 missiles and launched hundreds of drones at Israel. So far, 24 people have died in Israel, and over 500 have been injured. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As the US deployed fighter jets to West Asia, US President Donald Trump made several remarks about the situation. He warned Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that the US knows his whereabouts but added there were no current plans to kill him 'at least not for now.' Trump's comments added to the uncertainty about America's role in the conflict, as many in Tehran fled their homes on the sixth day of Israel's air campaign targeting Iran's military and nuclear sites. ALSO READ | What are Iran's key nuclear sites? What can destroy them? The escalating tit-for-tat has increased fears of a full-scale war, pushing an already tense region deeper into crisis. Israel has also claimed the killing of General Ali Shadmani in Tehran, calling him Iran's most senior surviving military leader. Iran has not directly responded to Trump's statements, but its military leaders have warned that further attacks on Israel are coming. 'The operations carried out so far have been solely for the purpose of warning and deterrence,' Gen. Abdul Rahim Mousavi, the commander in chief of Iran's army, said in a video. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The punishment operation will be carried out soon.' The conflict comes as Israel continues its military action in the Gaza Strip, where daily shootings have been reported around areas where Palestinians are gathering for food. With inputs from agencies
Nahar Net
3 days ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Expert says Israel can still target Hezbollah 'no matter how weak'
by Naharnet Newsdesk 17 June 2025, 15:01 Iran has few viable options for striking back at Israel, largely because its key regional proxy Hezbollah has been "decapitated," according to Fabian Hinz of the International Institute of Strategic Studies, a London-based think tank focusing on defense and security issues. The Houthi rebels in Yemen, another of Iran's allies, depend on long-range Iranian missiles but supplies are limited, Hinz said. If Iran chose to strike using short-range missiles, he speculates it could transfer them to Shiite militants in Iraq, which are nearer to Israel. A U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal brought an end to the latest Israel-Hezbollah war in November. The Lebanese militant group — which lost much of its senior leadership and arsenal in the conflict — has remained largely quiet since then and has given no indication that it intends to join the fray between Israel and Iran. Israeli forces have continued to occupy several border points in southern Lebanon and to carry out regular airstrikes on what Israel says are Hezbollah facilities since the ceasefire. Caroline Rose, a director at the Washington-based New Lines Institute think tank said that while it seems "clear that Iran-backed proxies across the region — particularly Hezbollah—just do not have the capacity" to enter the fray, Israel could decide to expand the scope of its offensive beyond Iran. One of the goals announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was to eliminate Iran's "axis of terrorism" — the coalition of Tehran-backed armed groups across the region known as the "Axis of Resistance." That goal "is ambiguous and offers Israel the operational space to expand this war to countries it deems are hosting Iran-backed proxies, no matter how weak they may be," Rose said.
