Explainer: What makes Iran’s Fattah hypersonic missile lethal
BD Online Desk:
Update Time :
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
19 Time View
In a major escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict, Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced early Wednesday that it successfully launched the Fattah hypersonic missile against Israel, claiming it penetrated Israeli air defences for the first time.
The operation, part of the ongoing True Promise III campaign, marks what Iranian commanders call a “turning point” in the region’s missile warfare capabilities.
This report breaks down the features, capabilities, and strategic significance of Iran’s Fattah hypersonic missile.
What is Fattah?
Fattah, meaning “the opener,” is Iran’s first domestically developed hypersonic ballistic missile. Unveiled in June 2023, it marked Tehran’s entry into an elite group of nations — alongside Russia, China, and India — that have operational hypersonic missile capabilities.
The two-stage, solid-fueled missile has a range of 1,400 kilometres and can reach terminal speeds of Mach 13 to 15. Its standout feature lies in its manoeuvrability: movable nozzles allow it to shift directions both inside and outside Earth’s atmosphere, making it highly difficult to intercept with existing missile defence systems.
Iran says the missile has successfully passed all tests, and military officials claim it is virtually “impossible to destroy” once launched.
Why is this strike significant?
The IRGC fired the Fattah missile during the eleventh phase of its True Promise III operation, stating it successfully penetrated Israel’s much-touted missile defence shields. According to the IRGC, the strike “shook Israeli shelters” and demonstrated Iran’s growing air dominance over the occupied territories.
Calling it “the beginning of the end” for Israel’s defensive systems, Iranian commanders say the operation sends a clear message not only to Tel Aviv but also to its Western allies who continue to back Israel’s military operations.
Khamenei vowed on June 18, 2025 that his country would show no mercy towards Israel’s rulers, hours after US President Donald Trump demanded Tehran’s “unconditional surrender”. | File Photo: AFP/ Khamenei.ir
What makes hypersonic missiles so dangerous?
Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound, and their manoeuvrability allows them to evade traditional missile defences. Unlike conventional ballistic missiles, which follow predictable trajectories, hypersonic weapons can alter course mid-flight, complicating interception efforts.
Fattah’s combination of high speed and in-flight manoeuvrability, according to Iranian officials, gives Tehran an edge in modern warfare — especially against technologically superior rivals.
Has Iran upgraded the system?
Yes. Following the original Fattah model, Iran has introduced the Fattah-2, which incorporates a hypersonic glide vehicle warhead. This enables even greater manoeuvrability and precision, introducing a new classification known as Hypersonic Cruise Glide Vehicle (HCGV). The Fattah-2 maintains the same range but adds a more advanced warhead design.
How has the world reacted?
Western reactions have ranged from skepticism to growing concern. Some Western analysts and media outlets initially questioned the sophistication of Iran’s hypersonic program, suggesting its claims might be exaggerated. However, military experts note that such dismissals echo past underestimations of Iran’s drone and missile industries, which have since proven their effectiveness in conflicts across the region.
The US has responded by imposing sanctions on individuals and entities linked to Iran’s missile program. Israel’s defence officials have publicly downplayed the threat, though the IRGC’s claims about Fattah’s operational success now place new pressure on Israeli and Western defence systems.
Where does Iran’s missile capability stand globally?
Iran today boasts one of the world’s largest missile arsenals, with a wide range of ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic missiles. Over decades of sanctions, Tehran has focused on developing missile technology as a substitute for airpower, emphasising indigenous production despite severe international restrictions.
Iranian officials repeatedly stress that their military doctrine remains defensive. However, in retaliatory operations — as seen in Iraq, Syria, and now in direct confrontation with Israel — Iran’s long-range precision capabilities have become a central feature of its regional military posture.
