Iran Fires 'Sejjil-2' Long-Range Ballistic Missile At Israel Amid Escalating Conflict. How Lethal Is It?

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Thursday that it had launched a Sejjil-2 missile-an ultra-heavy, long-range ballistic weapon-towards Israel.

"The twelfth wave of Operation 'True Promise 3' has begun with the launch of ultra-heavy, long-range, two-stage Sejjil missiles," the Iranian embassy in India posted on X, citing an official IRGC statement.

Photo Credit: x.com/Iran_in_India

It further added: "Sejjil missiles, powered by solid fuel and with long-range capabilities, are among Iran's most accurate and powerful strategic weapons. They possess the ability to penetrate and destroy critical enemy targets."

According to The Times of Israel, the missile was intercepted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), although debris reportedly caused minor damage to a vehicle.

The Israel-Iran conflict entered its seventh day on Thursday. The escalation follows an Israeli strike on a major Iranian nuclear site, and Iran's retaliatory missile attacks, one of which hit an Israeli hospital.

Israel claimed the targeted facility was being used to develop components and specialist equipment for nuclear weapons. Iran, on the other hand, insisted it had struck an Israeli military base, not the hospital. It asserted that the damage to the medical facility was caused by the missile's "blast wave."

What do we know about the Sejjil-2?

* The Sejjil‑2 is a two-stage, solid-fuel medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) developed by Iran, with an estimated range of around 2,000 km and a payload capacity of approximately 700 kg.

* According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the missile is roughly 18 metres in length, has a diameter of 1.25 metres, and weighs about 23,600 kg.

* Its solid-fuel propellant gives it a distinct operational advantage, enabling quicker preparation and launch in comparison to Iran's older liquid-fuelled systems such as the Shahab series.

* CSIS notes that the missile's first test took place in 2008, during which it flew 800 km. A second test in May 2009 trialled enhancements in its guidance and navigation systems.

* Since 2009, four further test flights have taken place, with the sixth reaching approximately 1,900 km into the Indian Ocean.