Israel-Iran War Escalates: Hypersonic Missiles, Airstrikes

KKN Gurugram Desk | The Middle East is once again engulfed in the flames of war as tensions between Israel and Iran have exploded into full-scale armed conflict. After months of intelligence operations and military planning, Israel has launched a preemptive airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities, claiming to have destroyed key atomic infrastructure and eliminating several high-ranking Iranian officials and nuclear scientists.

In a swift and fierce retaliation, Iran responded with over 150 missile and drone attacks, targeting critical Israeli cities including Tel Aviv. The intensity of the strikes has left both nations reeling, with escalating civilian casualties and mounting international concern.

Why Did Israel Attack Iran?

According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the strike was part of a broader mission to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Citing credible intelligence, Israel stated that Iran’s underground nuclear facilities were rapidly advancing towards operational readiness.

• Targets Hit: Nuclear labs, missile silos, and defense installations

• Casualties Claimed: 9 nuclear scientists, Iran’s army chief, and 20+ commanders

• Result: Iran’s Ministry of Defense complex in Tehran allegedly destroyed

The strike has been dubbed one of Israel’s most significant military operations since the Gulf War, triggering massive geopolitical reverberations across West Asia.

Iran’s Retaliation: Tel Aviv Under Fire

Iran’s counterattack was equally ferocious. Utilizing a combination of ballistic missiles, drones, and hypersonic projectiles, Tehran launched a coordinated offensive on Israeli soil. Residential zones, military installations, and energy infrastructure in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Ashdod have been hit.

• Iranian Weapons Used: Fatah-1 hypersonic missile, long-range ballistic missiles

• Damage Reported: Widespread destruction in central and southern Israel

• Casualties in Israel: 11 dead, over 300 injured

Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed the missile strikes were intended to “cripple Zionist military operations and avenge the blood of martyrs.”

Iran’s Fatah-1 Hypersonic Missile: A Game-Changer?

One of the most alarming developments in this conflict is Iran’s use of the Fatah-1 hypersonic missile, a weapon capable of bypassing modern air defense systems, including Israel’s advanced Iron Dome.

Fatah-1 Specifications:

• Range: Estimated 1,400 kilometers

• Speed: Hypersonic; over Mach 5

• Launch Type: Medium-range ballistic missile

• Warhead Capability: Conventional and nuclear

Security experts have confirmed that hypersonic missiles travel at low altitudes, making them difficult for radar systems to detect. This stealth capability is believed to have contributed to the failure of Israel’s Iron Dome defense in intercepting several Iranian projectiles.

 Iron Dome’s Limitations Exposed

The Iron Dome, often considered one of the world’s most sophisticated missile defense systems, was reportedly unable to intercept many of the Fatah-1 missiles.

While the Iron Dome can counter short-range and mid-range threats with high precision, its effectiveness against hypersonic, low-altitude, maneuvering missiles has long been debated.

Military analysts are now questioning whether Israel needs to integrate next-generation defense systems like the U.S. THAAD or even develop a hypersonic interception capability of its own.

 Israel’s Airstrikes: 150+ Targets in Iran Hit

Following Iran’s missile barrage, Israel launched another wave of retaliatory strikes across Iranian territory. Key sites hit reportedly include:

• Tehran: Defense Ministry headquarters

• Bushehr: Oil storage depots and gas refineries

• Shiraz & Isfahan: Military communication outposts

• Casualties in Iran: 138 killed, 350+ injured

Israel has also claimed to have downed several Iranian missile batteries, including launchers for cruise and ballistic weapons.

 Iran Claims to Have Shot Down Israeli F-35 Jets

Adding another explosive layer to the war narrative, Iran’s defense ministry claimed to have downed three Israeli F-35 fighter jets during Israel’s aerial assault. Though Israel has strongly denied the claim, the news has generated considerable attention.

If true, this would mark the first known combat loss of F-35s—stealth fifth-generation fighters used by the Israeli Air Force.

 Global Reactions: Fear of a Wider Regional War

The Israel-Iran conflict has sparked alarm worldwide, with several nations urging restraint and diplomatic resolution.

• United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has called for an emergency session.

• The U.S. has expressed support for Israel but urged de-escalation.

• Russia and China have warned against further Western intervention in West Asia.

• Crude oil prices have surged over concerns of disrupted supply chains in the Gulf.

The conflict threatens to destabilize an already fragile region, drawing in non-state actors and proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas, and other Iran-backed militias.

 Military Comparison: Israel vs Iran

The conflict remains volatile. Both nations are mobilizing reserves and increasing missile defense readiness. Tehran has activated its air defense systems in seven provinces, while Israel has put key military bases on red alert.

According to defense experts, the next few days will determine whether this remains a limited war or escalates into a prolonged regional conflict that could pull in other powers.

The Israel-Iran war of 2025 has already become one of the most dangerous flashpoints in recent Middle Eastern history. With hypersonic missiles, airstrikes, and strategic targets under fire, the conflict underscores the lethal potential of modern warfare.