Kathmandu – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reportedly conducted its 20th missile strike against Israel, employing the advanced Khaibar Shekan ballistic missile. The strike targeted Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport and several military bases, as retaliation for recent U.S. air attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The Khaibar Shekan is among Iran’s most modern and powerful medium-range ballistic missiles, named after the historic Battle of Khaybar in the 7th century—a significant event in Islamic history. The missile is a symbol of Iran’s military strength and is specifically designed to evade enemy air defense systems.
With a range of approximately 1,450 kilometers, the Khaibar Shekan can easily reach targets in Israel from Iranian territory. It can carry warheads weighing up to 1,500 kilograms and is equipped with satellite navigation and control wings that allow precise targeting and enhanced maneuverability to avoid interception by missile defense systems like Israel’s Iron Dome.
Powered by solid fuel, the missile can be launched quickly and securely, reducing the time adversaries have to respond or neutralize it before launch. Its capability to alter trajectory mid-flight helps it evade interception. Additionally, it can deploy cluster warheads that cause widespread damage over a large area.
The IRGC stated this missile was used during the 20th wave of “Operation True Promise 3,” which involved a mix of solid- and liquid-fueled missile launches.
Ben Gurion Airport, located near Tel Aviv, is Israel’s largest and most critical international airport. The missile strike aimed to disrupt both civilian air traffic and military operations. Besides the airport, other targets included command-and-control centers, logistics bases, and biological research facilities.
Residential areas in Tel Aviv and Haifa also experienced missile impacts, causing panic among civilians.
The missile attacks have injured at least 16 people in Israel, with some reported in serious condition. Residential neighborhoods in Tel Aviv, Ness Ziona, and Haifa sustained damage. Israel has closed its airspace, canceled flights from Ben Gurion Airport, and many airlines have suspended flights to Israel.
Schools were closed, public gatherings restricted, and citizens were urged to seek shelter in bomb shelters.
While Iran claimed to have destroyed Israeli military bases, Israel stated that no significant damage occurred at its military installations.
The situation remains tense as both sides continue to escalate military actions, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
