ALERT: Iran Claims First Use Sejjil Missile Fired with Potential Submunition Payload Over Israel.

According to an official statement published by the Iranian Embassy in India on the social media platform X on June 18, 2025, as part of Statement No. 11 issued by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran launched a salvo of Sejjil two-stage, long-range, solid-fuel ballistic missiles, marking the twelfth wave of its military campaign dubbed “True Promise 3.” The launch occurred amid escalating tensions with Israel following several days of reciprocal strikes. The missile was intercepted by Israeli defense systems, though debris reportedly caused minor damage to a civilian vehicle.
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The Sejjil missile during the “Great Prophet 17” (Picture source: Iranian MoD)

The Sejjil missile is one of the most advanced in Iran’s strategic ballistic arsenal. Fully designed and manufactured domestically, it uses solid propellant in both stages, enabling rapid deployment and reduced exposure time compared to liquid-fueled systems. It can be stored fully fueled and launched on short notice, making it more difficult to detect or preempt. With an operational range estimated between 2,000 and 2,500 kilometers, the Sejjil can target major capitals and military installations across the Middle East, including Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and U.S. bases throughout the region.

The missile is approximately 18 meters in length, weighs 23.6 metric tons, and can carry a payload of around 700 kilograms. Its warhead options reportedly include high explosive, fragmentation, penetrator, or potentially nuclear types. More recent variants are believed to feature upgraded inertial guidance systems combined with jet vane control for improved trajectory accuracy, allowing it to strike fortified or high-value targets with greater precision.

Unverified footage circulated after the launch suggests that some missiles may have been equipped with submunition warheads. A missile fragment found on Israeli territory raises the possibility that a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) system may have been used. If confirmed, this would indicate a notable development in Iran’s ability to bypass missile defense systems. This possibility aligns with earlier photographs from Iranian military exhibitions showing senior commanders inspecting missile configurations featuring multiple warheads.

During the “Great Prophet 15” military exercises in 2021, Iran publicly presented an updated Sejjil variant, reflecting its intention to elevate the missile to the level of strategic systems fielded by regional powers. Some defense sources, including MissileThreat.csis.org, have speculated on the existence of a Sejjil-3 variant with three stages and a range exceeding 4,000 kilometers. However, no such launch has been independently verified to date.

Iran’s launch of the Sejjil-2 missile signals continued development and refinement of its long-range strike capabilities. Designed for mobility, rapid launch, and strategic reach, the system reflects a growing emphasis on deterrence through ballistic precision and payload diversity. The potential use of submunitions or MIRV systems in a direct military engagement with Israel highlights the increasing complexity of the regional missile threat and the evolving nature of Iran’s ballistic missile program.