The Iran-Israel war has wreaked havoc on both sides for seven consecutive days now, but it appears as if the conflict will escalate with Iran’s latest barrage of missile strikes overnight.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has upped the ante with the first combat use of the Sejjil missiles, fulfilling its promise of opening the gates of hell on Israel, which launched the first blow on Friday and threatened Iran’s sovereignty.
Unconfirmed reports on X, formerly called Twitter, also suggest that the Khamenei-led regime fired the Sejjil for the first time. To understand the significance of this development, it is imperative to learn more about the missile first.
Faster Launch Time and the Potential to Carry Nuclear Warheads
The Sejjil missile is an Iran-built, solid-propellant, medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) with a range of 2000 km. It is a significant upgrade from the Islamic regime’s previous Shahab-3 designs.
The use of solid propellants enables faster launch times, allowing for rapid launches with minimal warning. Carrying a payload of 700 kg, it could carry nuclear warheads.
In the absence of nuclear warheads, high-explosives could still inflict irreparable damage on military installations and airbases. If fired on cities, it could cause mass civilian casualties.
Furthermore, the 2000 km range puts Israel well within range. Thus, the Sejjil could be the X-factor that gives Iran the edge in this ongoing conflict with Israel, especially if the enemy nation’s defences are unable to withstand the assault.
Psychological and Political Impact
Iran has likened the use of Sejjil missiles to the opening of the “gates of hell.” This underscores an underlying message of power and resistance that the Islamic regime is trying to convey to its enemies.
Prior to the war with Israel, the MRBM had never been used on the battlefield. Iran tapping deep into its arsenal suggests an escalation of the conflict, especially with the threat of a US assault looming.
If the Sejjil missiles carry a nuclear warhead, it could cause irreparable damage on an unprecedented scale. The fear factor that such a destructive weapon carries is destabilising, demanding the need for peace talks and negotiation.
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