Iran has unveiled an upgraded version of its hypersonic missile, the Fattah II, at a military exhibition attended by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The missile is a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) designed to offer greater maneuverability than traditional ballistic warheads.
The Fattah II is reported to reach speeds of up to Mach 15 (5.1 km or 3.2 miles per second) with a range of 1,400 km (870 miles), and there are indications that Iran aims to extend its hypersonic range to 2,000 km (1,242 miles).
Other showcased military developments include an enhanced version of the Shahed series of unmanned aerial vehicles, an upgraded 9-Dey missile defense system, and a new missile defense system called Mehran, utilizing solid-fuel missiles.
Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated condemnation of Israel and its Western allies for their actions in Gaza, calling for Islamic governments to sever political ties with Israel and urging Muslim states to cut energy and goods flow to Israel. The military exhibition occurred amid increased U.S. military presence in the region, including two carrier strike groups and a nuclear submarine.
Additionally, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, both part of the Iran-backed “resistance axis,” have been involved in cross-border conflicts with Israel. Israel has accused the Houthis of seizing a British-owned and Japanese-operated cargo ship in the southern Red Sea, labeling it as an “Iranian act of terrorism.”
Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Israeli Bombing of UNRWA School in Gaza
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned and denounced the Israeli occupation forces’ bombing of the Al-Fakhoura School of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Gaza Strip.
The Kingdom’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a published statement, reiterated Saudi Arabia’s absolute rejection of the deliberate targeting of civilians.
The statement also emphasized Saudi Arabia’s call for an immediate ceasefire, with a focus on ensuring the protection of civilians and relief facilities, along with those providing assistance in the affected areas.
Saudi Arabia underscored the necessity of activating international accountability mechanisms to address ongoing Israeli violations of international humanitarian law and resolutions of international legitimacy.
