Iran on Wednesday claimed it fired its hypersonic Fattah-1 missiles at Israel in the latest overnight wave of attacks, marking a serious escalation in the ongoing conflict. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) described this as the 11th wave of Operation Honest Promise 3, asserting that Iranian forces had “gained complete control over the skies of the occupied territories.”
The missile strike came hours after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stern directive, urging Iranian forces to show “no mercy” towards Israelis.
Not the First Time: Tehran’s Hypersonic Arsenal Returns
Though this marks the first known use of the Fattah-1 in the current flare-up, it is not the missile’s first deployment. Iran had previously used dozens of Fattah-1 missiles during Operation True Promise II on October 1, 2024, targeting Jerusalem. However, Wednesday’s attack is the first confirmed use in this round of strikes.
What Are Hypersonic Missiles?
Hypersonic missiles—either glide vehicles or cruise variants, are known for their ability to maneuver at ultra-high speeds within Earth’s atmosphere, making them extremely difficult to track or intercept. These weapons travel at speeds of Mach 5 or more (over 6,100 km/h). A CNN report notes that many ballistic missiles also reach hypersonic speed, particularly during their descent.
All About Fattah-1: Iran’s Hypersonic Game-Changer
Unveiled in 2023 and named by Ayatollah Khamenei, Fattah-1 is Iran’s first known hypersonic missile. Reports claim it is designed to bypass advanced missile defence systems such as Israel’s Iron Dome and Arrow. The IRGC has referred to it as the “Israel-striker.”
The missile measures 12 meters in length and has a range of up to 1,400 kilometers. Powered by solid fuel and a single-stage propulsion system, it can carry up to 200 kilograms of explosives. According to Iran Watch, Fattah-1 includes a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) warhead capable of traveling at speeds up to 17,900 km/h.
Fabian Hinz from the International Institute for Strategic Studies told CNN that the missile warhead sits on a “maneuverable reentry vehicle,” which allows it to briefly shift direction during descent, making interception more difficult.
Israel-Iran Tensions Surge
The recent missile exchange follows Israel’s large-scale air assault last Friday targeting Iranian nuclear and military installations. Since then, both nations have suffered devastating strikes in residential areas, leading to multiple casualties and forcing several foreign governments to evacuate their nationals.
Israel claims it has killed senior Iranian commander Ali Shadmani and his predecessor, Gholam Ali Rashid, in retaliatory strikes.
Despite growing international concern, both sides appear committed to the intensifying conflict, with no clear sign of de-escalation in sight.