The alleged Israeli overnight attack near an Iranian nuclear site was carried out using a high-tech missile which can fly at supersonic speed, making it difficult for aerial defence systems to detect and intercept, according to media reports. The strike came just days after Tehran’s unprecedented assault on the Jewish state.
In its report, the Israel National News said the missile, named ‘Rampage’, had been developed by the Jewish nation’s security industry and was identified in photos from the aftermath of the overnight strike on April 18 which targeted Iran’s air defences near the Natanz nuclear site in Isfahan province.
advertisement
Citing the state-owned Kan 11 TV channel, the report said the missile “carries a warhead of 150 kg of explosives, and can reach a distance of 145 km”.
“It can also adjust its path mid-flight, to precisely hit the target it was programmed to hit,” it added.
Sponsor A War Children Today:
SaveWorldChildren.org
The ‘Rampage’ missile “is intended to hit stationary targets which meet conditions similar to those which were hit in the attack on military targets in Isfahan”.
The New York Times said in a report on Saturday that the move to use the high-tech missile in the strike was “calibrated to make Iran think twice” before attacking Israel again.
Iranian officials told the newspaper that the Israeli strike hit a Russian-made S-300 air defence system, adding that Tehran had not detected any intrusions into its airspace on the day of the attack.
According to The New York Times, the missile was fired from an S-35 warplane “far from Israeli or Iranian airspace”.
Neither the missile nor the plane entered the Jordanian airspace, it added.
Jordan helped shoot down some of the hundred drones and missiles fired by Iran against Israel on April 14, which was in retaliation for an airstrike that struck the Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1, killing seven Revolutionary Guards.
Meanwhile, The Times of Israel said satellite imagery showed damage to the Russian-made S-300 air defence system at the Eighth Shekari Air Base in Isfahan.
The newspaper said the system is believed to be a part of the security arrangements for the Natanz nuclear site.
“Additional synthetic aperture radar satellite images taken Friday also showed evidence that the radar site was targeted,” The Times of Israel added.
Following the strike, Iran had claimed that three small drones were involved in the attack.
Iranian state TV alleged that the small aircraft were destroyed by air defences, and did not mention if missiles were used.
Israel is yet to officially comment on the strike.
The alleged attack on Iran came hours after the US and the UK slapped fresh sanctions on Tehran following the all-out assault on Israel.
The fresh sanctions targeted 16 people and two Iranian entities that produced engines that power the drone used in the Israel attack.
This post was originally published on 3rd party site mentioned in the title this site