Iran’s IRGC Fires Sajjil Missile with Hypersonic Glide Vehicle at Israel for the First Time in Combat: Lofted Trajectory Captured on Camera
In a dramatic escalation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has confirmed the combat debut of its advanced Sajjil medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM)—suspected to be carrying a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV)—in a direct strike against Israel. The launch, which occurred late last night, was reported by Iran's Tasnim News Agency, and is now making waves globally for potentially marking Iran’s first use of Hypersonic Glide Vehicles in warfare.
Strike Caught on Camera: A Lofted Trajectory
Footage released from multiple sources in the region showed a brilliant flash streaking skyward on a lofted trajectory, a launch profile often used to enhance range and impact velocity while avoiding interception. The video captures the missile’s characteristic high-arching ascent—suggesting a flight path consistent with either an HGV payload or a highly maneuverable reentry vehicle.
Why This Matters: Beyond a Typical MRBM
While Iran has fired ballistic missiles before, the Sajjil launch stands apart. Unlike the liquid-fueled Shahab series, the Sajjil is solid-fueled, enabling faster launch times and better survivability. What makes last night's event significant is:
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It may have carried a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) — a warhead capable of flying at speeds above Mach 5 and maneuvering unpredictably mid-course to evade air defenses.
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It was used in active combat against a state with one of the most advanced missile defense networks in the world—Israel, which fields the Arrow-2/3, David's Sling, and Iron Dome systems.
Sajjil Missile Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) |
| Fuel Type | Solid-fueled (two-stage) |
| Range | ~2,000 to 2,500 km |
| Speed | Estimated Mach 12+ (with HGV payload) |
| Warhead Type | High-explosive, possibly HGV or maneuverable RV |
| Launch Time | ~7–10 minutes from setup to launch |
| Accuracy (CEP) | Claimed <100 m (with guidance upgrades) |
Iran has long claimed that a hypersonic variant of Sajjil, or a HGV designed for compatibility with its MRBMs, had been developed and tested in secret facilities. Last night's strike might be the first real-world evidence of this claim coming to fruition.
Strategic Implications
Israel’s missile defenses are designed to intercept a wide spectrum of threats, from short-range rockets to long-range ballistic missiles. However, hypersonic glide vehicles are a new and more elusive category. Their ability to maneuver unpredictably at extremely high speeds poses a challenge even for advanced systems like Arrow-3, which intercepts threats in exo-atmospheric space.
The implications of this combat debut are profound:
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Regional Deterrence: Iran has demonstrated it can strike high-value targets from within its territory using next-gen weapons.
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Shift in Missile Warfare: The use of HGVs or maneuverable warheads by non-superpower states signals a paradigm shift.
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Missile Defense Saturation: A successful strike could indicate Israel’s missile defenses were either bypassed or overwhelmed—a significant concern for regional stability.
The Open Questions
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Was it truly an HGV or just a faster reentry vehicle (MaRV)?
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Was it intercepted, or did it strike its target successfully?
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What will Israel's response be to a hypersonic threat entering the theater?
While full details remain classified or speculative, what’s clear is that Iran has escalated its missile warfare capabilities into a new era—with global observers now paying close attention to how Israel and its allies respond to the apparent combat use of a hypersonic-capable ballistic missile in one of the world’s most volatile flashpoints.
