Iran’s Hypersonic Missiles Summed Up in 4 Words

Key Points – Iran claims to have developed and put into production at least three operational hypersonic missile systems, including the Fattah-1 (Mach 15, 1,400km range), Fattah-2 (enhanced HGV), and the newer Khorramshahr-4 (approx 2,000km range HGV), posing a significant threat to Israel and US regional assets.

-These weapons, allegedly capable of evading current missile defenses, enhance Iran’s deterrence and power projection.

-While some analysts suspect Russian assistance in their rapid development and question the full extent of Iran’s claimed capabilities and production numbers, even partially realized, these hypersonic missiles represent a serious escalation in regional military technology.

Iran: Does Tehran Really Have Hypersonic Weapons? 

Iran has long been a thorn in the US’ and Israels side.

Its nuclear program poses a threat to American assets in the region and is an existential threat to Israel.

Recently, however, Iran has been investing more into hypersonic missiles, further elevating the threat to Israel and its regional allies.

Iran currently claims to have three operational hypersonic missiles in production, the most prominent being the Fattah-1 MRBM. These missiles can allegedly reach speeds of Mach 15 and evade any air defense system Israel has.

How should we perceive such a threat? Are Iran’s claims real or lies?

Iran’s Hypersonic Missiles in 4 Words: Threat or Paper Tiger?

Iran’s main hypersonic is the Fattah missile, first unveiled in 2023. Iranian officials claimed that the Fattah could reach speeds of Mach 15 and evade all known air defense systems.

With a reported range of 1,400 kilometers, the missile is capable of striking targets across the Middle East, including Israel and U.S. military installations.

The Fattah-2, a more advanced version, was introduced later with enhanced maneuverability and precision. Iranian sources stated that this missile could alter its trajectory mid-flight, a key feature of hypersonic glide vehicles that allows them to bypass missile shields and hit high-value targets with pinpoint accuracy.

In 2025, Iran introduced the Khorramshahr-4 missile, an upgraded version of its earlier medium-range ballistic missiles. This new system reportedly incorporates hypersonic glide capabilities and advanced targeting systems.

With a range exceeding 2,000 kilometers and the ability to carry a 1,500-kilogram warhead, the Khorramshahr-4 is designed to serve both strategic and tactical roles. Its speed and maneuverability make it a serious challenge for regional missile defense systems, including Israel’s Arrow, David’s Sling and Iron Dome, and the U.S. Patriot systems deployed in the Gulf.

Iran first announced its work on hypersonic missiles in 2022, when it announced that one had already been built. Based on the speed of its hypersonic missile development is highly likely that Iran received information and weaponry from Russia, one of the worlds leaders in hypersonic missile technology.

Due to Iran’s isolated state, and its close relations with Russia, it is doubtful that Iran developed and built an advanced hypersonic missile without help from Russia.

An Existential Threat to Israel

The development of Iran’s hypersonic missiles has huge strategic implications for Israel and the US.

Regionally, these weapons enhance Iran’s ability to project power and deter adversaries. With ranges that cover much of the Middle East, Iran can threaten key infrastructure and military assets in countries like Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

This capability shifts the regional balance of power, giving Iran a more credible deterrent against potential military interventions.

Iran’s emphasis on hypersonics aligns with its broader strategy of asymmetric warfare. Lacking the conventional military strength of its adversaries, Iran has invested heavily in missile and drone technologies to offset its disadvantages.

Hypersonic missiles fit neatly into this approach, offering a means to strike quickly and decisively while avoiding interception. They also serve as a psychological weapon, forcing Israel and the US to think twice before pursuing any military action against Iran.

Has Iran Already Used Hypersonics Against Israel?

According to some analysts, Iran may have already used the Fattah-1 missile against Israel.

In both April and October’s strikes in 2024, analysts identified wreckage that appeared to be from a Fatah-1 missile. Neither of these strikes were particularly effective and were likely more of a show of force by Iran than a legitimate military strike.

Iranian officials have made bold claims about their missiles, but many questions still remain. Production is one such concern. How many missiles is Iran able to produce? Hypersonic missiles are sophisticated and usually cost a lot to produce in great numbers. These production requirements could severely limit the amount of missiles Iran is able to produce (assuming Iran is even producing their own missiles). Furthermore, Fattah-1’s capabilities have yet to be confirmed by western officials and experts. Iran claims that the missile can travel at insane speeds of Mach 15 but there is no way to prove this unless we take Iran at its word

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Why Iran Wants Hypersonic Missiles

Hypersonic missiles are characterized by their ability to travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound. This translates to over 6,000 kilometers per hour, allowing these weapons to reach their targets in a matter of minutes. What makes hypersonic missiles particularly formidable is not just their speed, but their maneuverability. Unlike traditional ballistic missiles, which follow a predictable arc, hypersonic missiles can change direction mid-flight. This makes them extremely difficult to detect, track, and intercept using current missile defense systems.

Hypersonic missiles are usually divided into two categories: hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) and hypersonic cruise missiles (HCMs). HGVs are launched into the upper atmosphere by a rocket and then glide toward their target at hypersonic speeds, while HCMs are powered by advanced engines like scramjets throughout their flight. Iran’s recent missile developments appear to focus primarily on the glide vehicle model, integrating these capabilities into its existing ballistic missile platforms.

About the Author:

Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.

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