Media: Iran confirms first use of advanced Haj Qassem ballistic missile During strike on Israel

Iranian authorities have confirmed the operational debut of a new domestically produced ballistic missile, Haj Qassem, during the recent missile strike targeting Israel.

The Haj Qassem is equipped with a maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV), specifically designed to overcome advanced missile defense systems such as the US-made THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) and the Patriot missile batteries currently deployed in Israel, Caliber.Az reports via Iranian Fars news agency. 

The missile's development was previously disclosed by Iranian Defense Minister General Aziz Nasirzadeh in a TV interview, where he highlighted its strategic capabilities and domestic production. The Haj Qassem is a solid-fuel missile with an operational range of up to 1,200 kilometers, making it capable of reaching targets across much of the Middle East.

It is reported to be fitted with a sophisticated guidance system that ensures precision targeting and resistance to electronic jamming and other countermeasures. Named in honor of General Qasem Soleimani — the former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, who was killed in a US drone strike in Iraq. 

On June 13, the military operation launched by Israel against key components of Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure has escalated to a much harsher level. The objective remains the complete elimination of the Islamic Republic’s capability to develop nuclear weapons.

According to the latest data, the Israeli Air Force has struck more than a hundred targets, deploying approximately 200 combat aircraft and over 330 precision-guided munitions, according to official figures. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) emphasises that this is a large-scale, coordinated operation targeting both military facilities and the nuclear programme infrastructure across the entire territory of Iran.

By Naila Huseynova