Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed it has used its long-range “Sejjil” ballistic missiles for the first time in a fresh wave of strikes against Israel, marking a major escalation in the ongoing conflict.
The powerful two-stage solid-fueled missiles were launched as part of the 12th phase of Operation True Promise 3, targeting multiple Israeli sites, with Iranian sources claiming direct hits on key components of Israel’s air defense systems. The IRGC asserted that the strikes had severely weakened Israel’s aerial defense network, leaving the occupied territories increasingly exposed to further missile and drone assaults.
In a chilling message carried by Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, the IRGC’s Aerospace Division issued a stark warning to the Israeli public:
“Our missiles won’t let you spend even a moment outside your underground shelters. You haven’t seen sunlight for days. The sirens will not fall silent. You must choose between a slow death in shelters or fleeing to survive the relentless 24-hour bombardment.”
Israel quickly responded, with its military reporting that eight Iranian missiles were launched, primarily aimed at the Greater Tel Aviv area. Israeli officials claimed that all incoming projectiles were successfully intercepted by its missile defense systems, though air raid sirens blared throughout Tel Aviv, Hasharon, and parts of the occupied West Bank.
According to Hebrew-language Channel 12, some of the Iranian missiles malfunctioned mid-flight, while the rest were intercepted. In addition, Israeli forces reportedly downed nine Iranian drones over the north earlier in the day.
An Israeli security official, speaking to Army Radio, acknowledged the advanced nature of the Sejjil missile, calling it “exceptional in weight, structure, and payload,” and highlighting its significance in this evolving conflict.
