Israel Destroys Iranian Shahab-3 Ballistic Missile in Operation Lions Roar Strike.

The Israeli Air Force has destroyed what appears to be an Iranian Shahab 3 medium-range ballistic missile during strikes conducted under Operation Lions Roar. The loss directly weakens Iran’s long-range strike capacity against Israel and regional targets, signaling a continued effort to degrade Tehran’s missile infrastructure.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has targeted and destroyed what it assesses to be an Iranian Shahab 3 medium-range ballistic missile during ongoing operations under Operation Lions Roar, according to imagery released by the service. A 3D render published by the IAF shows a missile configuration consistent with the Shahab 3 family, including its extended-range variants, capable of reaching 1,000 to 2,000 km, depending on payload. The strike appears aimed at degrading Iran’s long-range strike inventory, which has formed a central pillar of Tehran’s deterrence posture. While Israel has not disclosed the precise location of the strike, the destruction of a Shahab 3 class system would represent a meaningful reduction in Iran’s capacity to conduct ballistic missile attacks against Israel and regional targets.
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3D views released by the Israeli Air Force showing a ballistic missile assessed by Army Recognition defense analysts to be a Shahab-3 medium range ballistic missile targeted during Operation Lions Roar. (Picture source: Israeli Air Force)

The strike campaign unfolded in the context of a major escalation announced on February 28, 2026, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel, alongside the United States, had launched Operation Lions Roar, a coordinated military offensive against strategic sites in Iran. Netanyahu described the campaign as a mission to eliminate what he termed an existential threat from Tehran’s government and to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability. Defensive measures inside Israel followed the initial offensive wave as missile threats intensified and regional tensions escalated sharply.

On its official X account, the Israeli Air Force stated that the Israel Defense Forces “continues to strike the missile array and air defense systems of the Iranian terror regime,” adding that the completed strikes “enhance the freedom of action of the Air Force, and thwart numerous launches and missiles that threatened the citizens of the State of Israel and the Middle East.” The post included operational imagery and a detailed 3D rendering of a ballistic missile system described as part of the targeted array.

Defense analysts from the Army Recognition Group conducted an independent technical assessment of the 3D model and the displayed performance data. The image indicated a missile with a range of 800 to 1,650 km and a warhead mass of approximately 640 kg. These parameters, combined with the missile’s slender cylindrical fuselage, conical reentry vehicle, and deployment on a 6-axle transporter erector launcher, align most closely with the Shahab-3 medium-range ballistic missile or one of its evolved derivatives such as the Ghadr variant.

The Shahab-3 is a single-stage, liquid-fueled medium-range ballistic missile derived from the North Korean Nodong design and progressively modified by Iran since its introduction in the early 2000s. Early versions were assessed to have a range of approximately 1,300 kilometers carrying heavier payloads. Subsequent improvements in structural materials, propulsion efficiency, and reentry vehicle configuration allowed Iran to extend the missile’s reach to 1,600 km when paired with reduced warhead mass. A 640-kilogram payload fits within these optimized range configurations, enabling full coverage of Israeli territory from launch positions deep inside Iran.

The missile’s visible characteristics further support this assessment. The airframe appears narrower than the larger diameter Khorramshahr system, which is derived from the Musudan lineage and requires a heavier multi-axle launch platform. In contrast, the launcher shown in the 3D image corresponds to the 6-axle transporter erector vehicles historically associated with Shahab 3 deployments. The absence of distinctive bulk associated with Khorramshahr class missiles reinforces the conclusion that the system destroyed was likely part of the Shahab 3 family rather than Iran’s heavier MRBM (Medium-Range Ballistic Missile) inventory.

Operationally, liquid-fueled systems such as the Shahab 3 present both strengths and vulnerabilities. While capable of delivering significant payloads over long distances, they require refueling and erection before launch, creating detectable preparation windows. By striking missile arrays before launch, the Israeli Air Force not only neutralizes immediate threats but also degrades the broader launcher fleet, which is essential for sustained ballistic operations. The simultaneous targeting of Iranian air defense systems indicates a coordinated suppression campaign designed to maintain air superiority and reduce attrition risks for follow-on strike missions.

Within the framework of Operation Lions Roar, the destruction of Shahab-3-class systems carries strategic implications beyond the immediate battlefield. Iran’s missile force forms a central pillar of its deterrence posture, particularly against Israel and U.S. assets in the region. A range envelope of up to 1,650 kilometers enables Iranian forces to hold at risk military bases, critical infrastructure, and population centers without forward deployment. Reducing this capability narrows Tehran’s options for rapid retaliatory salvos that could attempt to saturate Israeli missile defense layers such as Arrow and David’s Sling.

At the strategic level, the campaign signals a shift from deterrence management toward proactive degradation of adversary strike infrastructure. By integrating offensive strikes inside Iran with domestic defensive measures, Israel and the United States are pursuing a dual-track approach aimed at neutralizing both immediate missile threats and longer-term strategic capabilities tied to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Army Recognition Group defense analysts assess that sustained attrition of legacy liquid-fueled MRBMs could force Iran to rely more heavily on solid-fueled systems such as Sejjil, which offer shorter launch preparation times but may be available in fewer operational numbers. The long-term impact of Operation Lions Roar will depend on the scale of launcher destruction, the survivability of Iran’s dispersed missile units, and Tehran’s capacity to regenerate production under pressure. However, the confirmed targeting of a Shahab-3-class missile underscores that ballistic missile infrastructure remains a primary objective in the unfolding regional confrontation.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.