In a historic and alarming breakthrough, Iran has fired the advanced Sejjil ballistic missile in combat for the first time, delivering a powerful shock to Israeli defenses and raising serious questions about the effectiveness of Western air defense systems.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched multiple Sejjil-2 missiles toward central and northern Israel in a coordinated nighttime barrage. The solid-fuel, two-stage Sejjil — capable of carrying a 1.5-ton warhead, traveling at hypersonic speeds, and performing evasive maneuvers — proved extremely difficult to intercept. Israeli air defenses, including the vaunted Iron Dome and Arrow systems, struggled to track and neutralize the missiles, resulting in multiple impacts near Tel Aviv suburbs and the Haifa region.

Explosions rocked residential areas, with fires breaking out and significant damage reported. Israeli officials admitted the barrage was “highly challenging,” while local media described scenes of panic as millions rushed to shelters.

The combat debut of the Sejjil marks a major milestone for Iran’s missile program. Unlike older liquid-fuel missiles, the Sejjil can be launched rapidly from mobile platforms with almost no warning, making it one of the most dangerous weapons in Tehran’s arsenal. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s regime hailed the strike as “the beginning of a new era of deterrence,” vowing that more advanced missiles will follow.

This development comes at a critical time for Operation Epic Fury. Despite weeks of heavy U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, Iran continues to demonstrate impressive technological resilience and offensive reach. The United States has already spent more than $11 billion in munitions, with both the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln operating under severe restrictions due to repeated damage and fires. Critical American radar systems across the region have been degraded, and interceptor stockpiles are running dangerously low.

The successful use of the Sejjil raises uncomfortable questions: Are Israel’s legendary defenses finally reaching their limit? Has the U.S.-led campaign not only failed to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities but actually forced Tehran to reveal its most advanced weapons?

As the smoke clears over Israel and defense analysts scramble to ᴀssess this new threat, one thing is becoming clear — the war is entering a far more dangerous and unpredictable phase.