In the predawn hours of February 28, 2026, Israel and the United States executed a series of synchronized airstrikes against key Iranian cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, and Qom. These operations, known respectively as Roaring Lion by Israel and Operation Epic Fury by the US, focused on crippling Iran’s military infrastructure, particularly its missile and nuclear facilities. The strikes were characterized as pre-emptive measures aimed at undermining Tehran’s growing strategic threat in the region.
Following the assault, Iran responded swiftly and decisively. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a massive counterattack, firing a large salvo of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeting Israeli territory and American military installations scattered across the Middle East. Reports indicated that dozens, possibly hundreds, of projectiles were unleashed in this retaliatory barrage. Northern Israel experienced multiple explosions, while air raid sirens sounded nationwide, prompting civilians to seek shelter. The Iron Dome missile defense system was activated extensively, intercepting many of the incoming threats and mitigating potential damage.
This intense exchange underscored the formidable nature of Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal, which remains the most extensive in the Middle East despite recent attrition caused by ongoing conflicts and targeted strikes. Tehran has traditionally adhered to a self-imposed missile range ceiling of approximately 2,000 kilometers (around 1,240 miles), a distance sufficient to strike Israel and US bases within the region. This limitation is part of Iran’s stated policy to avoid developing intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capabilities, though concerns persist among regional and global powers.
As of early 2026, estimates suggest that Iran’s missile inventory has been significantly reduced from an original stockpile of roughly 2,500 units to somewhere between 1,000 and 1,200 missiles. This decline is attributed to previous military engagements and Israeli airstrikes targeting missile production and storage facilities. Moreover, only about 100 mobile launchers remain fully operational, reflecting the toll that sustained conflict has taken on Iran’s strategic assets.
To better understand the role these weapons play in the ongoing tensions, it is essential to examine Iran’s most prominent missile systems, their technical specifications, and their strategic significance within the broader Iran-Israel confrontation.
Overview of Iran’s Missile Program
Iran’s ballistic missile program constitutes a central pillar of its national defense doctrine, designed primarily to deter adversaries such as Israel and the United States. The program encompasses a diverse range of missile types, including short-range, medium-range, and hypersonic variants. Many of these missiles are housed in fortified underground complexes, often referred to as “missile cities,” which provide protection against pre-emptive strikes and enhance survivability.
During the February 2026 retaliation, Iran deployed a combination of these missile systems, including some of its most advanced models like the Sejjil and Fattah missiles. The strategy appeared to focus on saturating enemy defenses with a mix of high-speed and maneuverable projectiles to overwhelm interception capabilities. Despite setbacks caused by previous attacks on critical manufacturing infrastructure—particularly facilities involved in producing solid-fuel components—Iran continues to modernize and expand its missile arsenal.
Key Iranian Missiles and Their Characteristics
| Missile Name | Range (km) | Payload (kg) | Fuel Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sejjil | 2,000-2,500 | Up to 1,500 | Solid | Extremely high speed (over 17,000 km/h), rapid launch capability |
| Khorramshahr-4 | 2,000 | 1,500 | Liquid | High destructive power, upgraded for enhanced deterrence |
| Fattah (Hypersonic) | 1,400 | Varies | Solid | Hypersonic speeds, highly maneuverable, difficult to intercept |
| Shahab-3 | 800-1,300 | Up to 1,200 | Liquid | Medium-range, multiple variants including precision-guided Emad |
| Emad | 1,700 | 750 | Liquid | High accuracy with 500-meter CEP (circular error probable) |
| Ghadr | 2,000 | Varies | Liquid | Extended range capable of reaching parts of Europe |
| Kheibar | 2,000 | Varies | Solid | Advanced solid-fuel technology, enhancing mobility and readiness |
| Haj Qasem | 1,400 | Varies | Solid | Highly mobile solid-fuel missile, named after a prominent IRGC commander |
Detailed Look at Iran’s Leading Missiles
Sejjil: The High-Speed Backbone
The Sejjil missile stands out as one of Iran’s most sophisticated medium-range ballistic missiles, powered by solid fuel that enables rapid launch sequences and reduces vulnerability to pre-emptive strikes. Capable of reaching speeds exceeding 17,000 kilometers per hour and ranges up to 2,500 kilometers, the Sejjil-2 variant was reportedly deployed for the first time during the 2026 retaliatory strikes. Its high velocity and solid-fuel design make it a formidable weapon, difficult to detect and intercept. Although production has faced challenges due to targeted strikes on fuel mixing facilities, the Sejjil remains a critical component of Iran’s strategic deterrent.
Khorramshahr-4: Payload Powerhouse
Recently introduced into IRGC underground missile complexes, the Khorramshahr-4 missile boasts a 2,000-kilometer range combined with the capacity to carry a heavy 1,500-kilogram warhead. This missile is particularly suited for saturation attacks designed to overwhelm missile defense systems. Iranian media highlighted its upgrades in early February 2026, emphasizing the missile’s enhanced destructive capability and its role in bolstering Iran’s deterrence posture. While its liquid-fuel engine offers certain operational flexibilities, it requires longer preparation times compared to solid-fuel missiles.
Fattah: Hypersonic Innovation
Marking a significant technological advancement, the Fattah missile is Iran’s first hypersonic weapon system. With a range of approximately 1,400 kilometers, it achieves speeds that reportedly render it nearly impossible to intercept using current missile defense technologies. Its maneuverability allows it to evade sophisticated air defense systems deployed by Israel and the United States. The Fattah missile exemplifies Iran’s strategic focus on asymmetric warfare capabilities, aiming to counterbalance technologically superior adversaries.
Shahab-3 and Its Variants: The Reliable Core
The Shahab-3 missile family forms the backbone of Iran’s medium-range ballistic missile force. With ranges varying between 800 and 1,300 kilometers, these missiles have been deployed extensively in past conflicts. Variants such as the Emad, which extends the range to 1,700 kilometers and incorporates precision guidance with a 500-meter accuracy radius, and the Ghadr, capable of reaching up to 2,000 kilometers, enhance Iran’s strike options. These missiles have been instrumental in targeting US military bases and Israeli positions, underscoring their strategic importance.
Additional Noteworthy Missiles
Other missiles like the Kheibar and Haj Qasem, with ranges of 2,000 and 1,400 kilometers respectively, add depth to Iran’s missile inventory. Both utilize solid-fuel technology, improving mobility and readiness, and can strike Israel from multiple directions, complicating defense efforts. The Zolfaghar missile, with a shorter range of 700 kilometers, is frequently employed for precision strikes in regional skirmishes, demonstrating Iran’s layered missile strategy.
The February 2026 strikes inflicted considerable damage on Iran’s missile infrastructure, further depleting its already diminished stockpile. Nevertheless, Iran’s capacity to mount a substantial retaliatory missile barrage highlights its resilience and ongoing commitment to maintaining a credible deterrent. Meanwhile, US leadership has expressed concerns about Iran’s potential ambitions to develop longer-range missile systems, although Tehran maintains that its program is purely defensive in nature.
As tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, Iran’s missile capabilities remain a pivotal factor shaping regional security dynamics. These weapons influence not only military strategies but also diplomatic relations and alliance formations across the area. The evolving missile landscape underscores the fragile balance of power and the persistent risk of wider conflict.
