Iran has reportedly fired one of its most advanced ballistic missiles, the Sejjil, at Israeli and US-linked targets. This marks the first time the weapon has been used since the conflict began on 28 February, reports Iranian news outlet Press TV.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Sunday announced that its retaliatory strikes were carried out under the operation code “Ya Zahra.”
A range of missiles were used, including the heavy Khorramshahr with dual warheads, as well as Kheybar, Qadr, and Emad.
For the first time since the US and Israel began their offensive against Iran on 28 February, the solid-fuel Sejjil missile was deployed, targeting Israeli command centers and key military infrastructure.
Brigadier General Majid Mousavi, head of the IRGC Aerospace Force, confirmed the Sejjil launch in a post on his official X account.
Israeli media reported air raid sirens sounding in Tel Aviv, Herzliya, and more than 140 other locations across the occupied territories.
The US and Israel had resumed aerial attacks on Iran, roughly eight months after earlier strikes. In response, Iran quickly launched waves of missile and drone attacks against Israeli-occupied areas and US bases in the region.
What is Sejjil missile?
The Sejjil, also known as Ashoura or Ashura, is a two-stage, solid-fuel ballistic missile classified as a medium-range system (MRBM). It has an estimated range of 2,000 kilometres and can carry a payload of about 700 kilograms.
Its solid-fuel design allows for faster preparation and launch compared to older liquid-fuel missiles like the Shahab series, making it harder for adversaries to detect and intercept.
Because of its manoeuvrability at high altitude and ability to potentially evade defence systems such as Israel’s Iron Dome, it has been nicknamed the “dancing missile.”
According to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the missile is roughly 18 metres long, 1.25 metres in diameter, and weighs about 23,600 kilogrammes at launch. Development began in the early 1990s, with the first test in 2008 reaching 800 kilometres.
A second test in 2009 focused on guidance improvements, and later trials demonstrated ranges of up to 1,900 kilometres. Iran is believed to have produced variants such as the Sejjil-2, with reports suggesting a Sejjil-3 may be in development.
US-Israel-Iran war enters 3rd week
The latest Sejjil launch comes as the conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States enters its third week. Fighting escalated after US and Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities last month. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israeli-occupied areas and US-linked bases in the Gulf.
The war has already caused heavy casualties and disruption across West Asia, affecting air travel and oil shipments. The Pentagon says US and Israeli forces have struck over 15,000 targets in Iran since the conflict began, while US media report that the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA‑7) has been deployed with 2,500 Marines as hostilities continue.
