Iran Deploys Its Largest Missile in Retaliation Against Israel
In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Iran has launched its most powerful missile, the Khorramshahr-4, targeting Israel in response to recent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. State television broadcast footage believed to show the missile, marking a rare display of Tehran's advanced military capabilities.
The Khorramshahr-4: A Missile with Formidable Reach
The Khorramshahr-4 missile boasts an impressive range of 2,000 kilometers and carries a massive warhead weighing 1,500 kilograms. Iranian military officials also assert that the missile is capable of carrying multiple warheads, amplifying its destructive potential.
Massive Retaliation With Over 40 Missiles Fired
The attack included at least 40 missiles launched shortly after US bomber jets targeted three nuclear sites allegedly linked to Tehran's clandestine weapons program. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the missile barrage as a stark message of deterrence.
Historical and Symbolic Significance Behind the Missile's Name
The missile’s name, Khorramshahr-4, references the Iranian city Khorramshahr, a key battleground during the brutal Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s. It is also known by its alternative name Kheibar, after a historic Jewish fortress located in present-day Saudi Arabia, symbolizing resilience and conquest.
Impact on Northern Tel Aviv: Civilian Areas Hit
Reports indicate the missile strikes severely affected civilian zones, particularly in northern Tel Aviv. Damages were reported at a shopping center, a bank, and a salon, with shattered glass and structural damage quietly bearing witness to the overnight assault.
Local residents described harrowing scenes: one homeowner recounted how his first-floor residence was destroyed, though he escaped injury after seeking shelter at his mother’s house. Emergency response teams swiftly moved to secure affected neighborhoods, block roads, and clear debris using earthmoving machinery.
Casualties and Aftermath
Rescue officials confirmed at least 11 injuries resulting from the missile barrage, underscoring the human cost of the intensifying conflict across the region.
Rising Tensions Signal a Volatile Future
The latest exchange underscores the precarious nature of Middle Eastern geopolitics, with Iran's use of the Khorramshahr-4 missile demonstrating both capability and intent to respond forcefully to perceived threats. The international community awaits further developments as the situation continues to evolve.
