Iran's reported use of its hypersonic Fattah-1 missile has brought renewed attention to a weapon designed to challenge conventional missile defence systems, as the war between Iran and Israel escalates.

What is the Fattah 1?

Unveiled in 2023 and named by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Fattah-1 is Iran’s first hypersonic missile.

According to Iranian sources, it is capable of travelling at Mach 5 — five times the speed of sound — and includes a manoeuvrable reentry vehicle, allowing it to change course during flight.

Threat to Israeli missile defences

These features are designed to help evade interception by systems such as Israel’s Iron Dome and Arrow missile defences. The Fattah-1 runs on solid fuel, has a reported range of up to 1,400 kilometres, and uses a single-stage propulsion system.

Iranian officials have called the missile an “Israel-striker”, and a banner displayed at its unveiling in Tehran read, “400 seconds to Tel Aviv” in Hebrew.