Early March 2026 marks the second week of an ongoing struggle that began on February 28, and Iran’s hypersonic missiles are demonstrating a real threat to US and Israeli air defenses. Escalation in exchange of retaliatory strikes has seen Iranian use of advanced weapons such as Fattah-2, which have penetrated layered defenses to hit important targets.
Conflict Background
The war began on February 28 when the US and Israel initiated Operation Epic Fury (Israel Campaign Codename: Operation Roaring Lion), bombing Iranian military locations, leadership, and infrastructure surrounding Tehran to seek regime change. Iran’s answer was Operation True Promise 4, launching drones, ballistic missiles and hypersonics at Israel, US bases and Gulf states. As the fighting nears nine full days on March 8, it has seen intense exchanges, coalition air strikes establishing unquestionable air dominance over Tehran and Iran adding missile salvos to the mix.
Hypersonic Missile Capabilities
To do so, Iran fielded the Fattah-2 hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), which can achieve speeds of up to Mach 15 (more than 18,500 km/h), has a range of approximately 1,500 km and employs mid-flight maneuverability to penetrate interceptors. Khorramshahr-4 (Kheibar) adds another 2,000 km range 1,500 kg warhead and Mach 8-16 speed with in flight changes. These weapons use solid/liquid fuels that allow rapid launches from mobile or subterranean sites, making preemptive destruction more difficult and less probable.
Defense System Challenges
US THAAD, Patriot PAC-3 and Aegis failed to counter hypersonics’ speed, low-altitude glides and maneuvers; Iranian missiles evaded 10 interceptors to hit Tel Aviv. Israel’s multi-layered umbrella—Iron Dome (short-range), David’s Sling (medium), Arrow 2/3 (exo-atmospheric)—intercepted several Fattah-2 attacks, but some hit Ben Gurion Airport and Ministry of Defense. This Chinese analysis corroborates that terminal-phase defenses (THAAD) fail at hypersonic 40-150km high Mach 9 dives.
Key Strikes and Impacts
On 5 March 17th Wave: IRGC Fattah-2 & drones penetrated THAAD, inflicting damage on Israeli targets around Tel Aviv; previous barrages targeted US Fifth Fleet HQ in Bahrain. Sirens sounded and explosions rang out in Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem as well with light injuries reported. Iran Achievements Claims22 leads in 19 waves and63 drones17,230 missilesattacks on US bases in Iraq/Kuwait. ER and Other Actors: Coalition responses killed IRGC leaders, hit 1,600+ Iranian targets.
| Missile | Speed | Range | Key Evasion Feature | Reported Hits |
| Fattah-2 | Mach 15 | 1,500 km | HGV maneuvers | Tel Aviv, Bahrain youtube+1 |
| Khorramshahr-4 | Mach 8-16 | 2,000 km | Trajectory correction | Airports, bases youtube+1 |
Strategic Implications
The tests highlight shortfalls in current defenses, causing US reviews and hastening hypersonic countermeasures like space-based sensors. Iran used half its launchers but escalates, targeting Gulf energy to pressure economies. IAEA: No nuclear sites hit so far With Trump offering no indications of a let-up, the conflict risks drawing in closer partners like Hezbollah and Gulf states.