logo
Israel's Iron Dome is leaking on purpose as Iran's ballistic missile count passes 400

Israel's Iron Dome is leaking on purpose as Iran's ballistic missile count passes 400

Economic Times17-06-2025
Reuters Smoke rises at an impacted facility site following missile attack from Iran on Israel, at Haifa Israel June 15, 2025. REUTERS/Rami Shlush ISRAEL OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN ISRAEL
Iran has launched over 400 ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel since fighting escalated last week, Israeli military officials confirmed. The wave of attacks follows Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and senior military personnel under Operation Rising Lion. While many of the missiles were intercepted, several breached Israel's defences, hitting targets in Tel Aviv and other cities.Israel responded with overnight strikes on Iranian infrastructure linked to nuclear and missile programmes.
Iranian state media claim that the 'Haj Qassem' missile was used to hit central Tel Aviv, killing 10 people and injuring nearly 200. The missile, named after the late General Qassem Soleimani, is designed to evade both the Iron Dome and US-made THAAD systems, according to Iran's Tasnim News Agency.The Islamic Republic also fired a large number of Shahab-series and other long-range missiles in response to Israeli strikes. Some hit targets on the ground, causing visible damage in Bat Yam, Rishon LeZion, and near the Kirya military complex in Tel Aviv.Israeli officials acknowledged that while a high percentage of missiles were intercepted, 'no system in the world can claim 100% interception'. The IDF estimated a 5–10% leakage rate.
Also Read: Iran is no pushover: Israel is learning the hard wayIran's exact inventory remains classified, but its missile programme is considered one of the most advanced in the region. Over the past three decades, it has developed dozens of ballistic and cruise missile systems.Ballistic missiles are launched using powerful rocket engines, exiting the Earth's atmosphere before re-entering it at steep angles. Their range varies: Short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) – less than 1,000km
Medium-range (MRBM) – 1,000–3,500km
Long-range (LRBM) – 3,500–5,500km
Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) – over 5,500km The distance between Iran and Israel ranges from 1,300km to 1,500km. A missile travelling at Mach 5—five times the speed of sound—can cover that distance in around 12 minutes.Ballistic missiles are fast and follow high trajectories. When they re-enter the atmosphere, they descend rapidly—often at hypersonic speeds (above Mach 5)—leaving air defences with only seconds to respond. Some missiles release decoys or employ manoeuvrable re-entry vehicles (MaRV) to avoid interception.Cruise missiles and drones are also in use. These fly slower but lower, making them harder to detect. Unlike ballistic missiles, cruise missiles can manoeuvre mid-flight and follow terrain contours to evade radar.
Iranian drones and cruise missiles, though slower, complicate the threat landscape. A drone may take up to nine hours to reach Israeli airspace, and cruise missiles nearly two, but their unpredictability adds strain to defensive systems. Israel uses multiple systems to handle the varied threats: Iron Dome: Targets short-range rockets and artillery.
David's Sling: Designed to intercept medium-range cruise and ballistic missiles between 40km and 300km.
Arrow-2 and Arrow-3: Built to intercept long-range ballistic missiles up to 2,400km, even in space. Footage online suggests multiple Iranian projectiles breached these defences, causing fires and destruction in residential areas. Some unverified videos show direct impacts near Nevatim Air Base and the IDF's central command in Tel Aviv.One viral clip appears to show a missile slipping past the Iron Dome and striking near the Kirya. A separate video circulated by Iranian media claimed Israeli air defences accidentally struck each other—a claim Israeli officials denied.The United States has deployed THAAD and Patriot missile systems in the region and is assisting Israel in defence operations, a U.S. defence official confirmed. American naval assets have also engaged incoming threats.However, even advanced systems like THAAD have shown limitations. In past conflicts, they failed to intercept some Houthi-fired missiles over Saudi Arabia and the UAE.Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned that Iran had 'crossed every red line,' while Defence Minister Israel Katz said, 'The Iranian people will pay a big price.'Israel's military acknowledges its defences are not airtight. 'Iran's missiles are not something we don't know how to intercept,' a senior IDF official said.Still, the volume, variety, and velocity of Iran's attack are testing the limits of Israel's systems. While most missiles are intercepted, those that slip through have caused significant casualties, damage, and fear.The Israeli air force has responded with renewed strikes on missile factories and storage sites in western Iran, as both countries prepare for what could be an even larger phase of confrontation.With casualties climbing—over 250 in Iran, 24 in Israel—and defences stretched, the question now is not just how well systems can intercept, but how long this tit-for-tat can continue before the conflict escalates beyond control.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trump administration to release over $5 billion in school funding after backlash
Trump administration to release over $5 billion in school funding after backlash

Indian Express

time2 hours ago

  • Indian Express

Trump administration to release over $5 billion in school funding after backlash

The administration of US President Donald Trump will release more than $5 billion in school funding that it had frozen earlier this month, following criticism from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, Reuters reported. The money, intended for K-12 education programmes, had been withheld as part of a review announced by the White House. States say a total of $6.8 billion in funding was affected, with $1.3 billion already released last week. In a statement sent by email, Madi Biedermann, a senior official at the US Department of Education, said, 'The Office of Management and Budget has completed its review … and has directed the Department to release all formula funds.' 'The agency will begin dispersing funds to states next week,' she added. No details of the review findings were provided. A senior Trump administration official told Reuters that some 'guardrails' would be attached to how the funds are used, but did not give specifics. The Washington Post first reported the release of the $5 billion. Earlier in July, the Trump administration said it had found indications that the money was being misused to support what it called a 'radical leftwing agenda.' The freeze affected funds for teacher training, migrant education, English language learning, and after-school programmes. The decision led to legal action by a group of mostly Democrat-led states. Ten Republican senators also wrote to the Trump administration urging it to reverse the funding freeze. Some Republican lawmakers welcomed Friday's announcement, while Democrats argued the money should never have been withheld. President Trump has repeatedly threatened to cut federal funding for schools and colleges over a range of issues, including climate policies, diversity initiatives, and pro-Palestinian protests related to Israel's war in Gaza.

Trump says Hamas 'didn't want' Gaza deal as talks break down
Trump says Hamas 'didn't want' Gaza deal as talks break down

The Hindu

time2 hours ago

  • The Hindu

Trump says Hamas 'didn't want' Gaza deal as talks break down

U.S. President Donald Trump accused Hamas on Friday (July 25, 2025) of not wanting to reach a ceasefire deal in Gaza as Israel said it would explore "alternative options" to rescue hostages after negotiations collapsed. An Israeli official meanwhile told AFP air drops of aid would resume soon over the Gaza Strip, where aid groups warned of surging numbers of malnourished children after more than 21 months of war. After U.S. and Israeli negotiators quit indirect talks with Hamas in Qatar, Mr. Trump said that "it was was too bad. Hamas didn't really want to make a deal. I think they want to die." The U.S. President argued that the Palestinian militant group was not ready to hand over the remaining captives in Gaza because "they know what happens after you get the final hostages". His special envoy Steve Witkoff accused Hamas of not "acting in good faith" in the negotiations that ended on Thursday (July 24, 2025). Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim in turn accused Mr. Witkoff of distorting the reality of the talks and walking back on agreements that had been reached between the parties. Mr. Witkoff was looking to "serve the Israeli position", Naim told AFP. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "together with our U.S. allies, we are now considering alternative options to bring our hostages home, end Hamas's terror rule, and secure lasting peace." Mr. Witkoff similarly said Washington would "consider alternative options" on Gaza, without elaborating on what they could entail. Mr. Netanyahu's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called to reinstate a complete aid blockade, occupy the entirety of Gaza, "encourage" its people to leave and re-establish Israeli settlements there. Mediators Qatar and Egypt said the talks could still resume, vowing to carry on with "intensive efforts" to secure an elusive breakthrough.

Thailand-Cambodia Clashes: Toll Rises, Both Sides Blame Each Other For Preventing Ceasefire
Thailand-Cambodia Clashes: Toll Rises, Both Sides Blame Each Other For Preventing Ceasefire

The Wire

time2 hours ago

  • The Wire

Thailand-Cambodia Clashes: Toll Rises, Both Sides Blame Each Other For Preventing Ceasefire

World Tens of thousands of people living along the Southeast Asian neighbours' border have fled the violence. Thai residents evacuate from their homes following clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers in Sisaket province, Thailand, July 25, 2025. Photo: AP/PTI. New Delhi: Thailand and Cambodia were engaged in military hostilities along their border for the second day on Friday (July 25), with deaths reported on both sides and tens of thousands of people fleeing the violence. Thailand's army said six soldiers were killed on Thursday and Friday. Reuters reports that the total toll in the country is 19, with a Cambodian provincial official reporting one death on their side. Both sides have blamed each other for initiating the hostilities, which occur against the backdrop of tensions along their long-disputed border. The situation escalated after a Cambodian soldier was killed in an exchange of fire with Thai troops while he dug trenches along the border in May. Earlier this week, a landmine explosion had injured several Thai soldiers, following which the two countries expelled each other's ambassadors in tit-for-tat moves and downgraded diplomatic ties. While Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia – which currently chairs the ASEAN bloc that Thailand and Cambodia are members of – said he spoke to the Thai acting prime minister and his Cambodian opposite number calling for a ceasefire, both those leaders on Friday laid the blame at the other side for continuing hostilities. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Friday that he agreed with Ibrahim's proposal for a ceasefire and had heard from him that Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai too was on board, but that the Thai side ultimately 'reversed their position', choosing instead to 'wait for a later date'. Meanwhile, Thailand's foreign ministry said on Friday evening that although Bangkok 'fully agrees with' Ibrahim's proposal and 'will consider it', 'Cambodian forces have continued their indiscriminate attacks on Thai territory', showing Phnom Penh's 'lack of good faith'. Bangkok said in a statement on Friday afternoon that 'the current situation is a dispute between the governments and armed forces of both countries and not between the people'. 'This is not a declaration of war but merely a clash along the border in order to protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity and to respond to the aggression,' it added. The UN Security Council was scheduled to discuss the conflict in New York at 3 pm local time (12:30 am on Saturday Indian time) in a closed emergency meeting. Following the eruption of hostilities on Thursday, over 58,000 people fled from villages to temporary shelters, per the Thai public health ministry. Cambodian authorities said more than 23,000 people evacuated from the border region. Thailand has declared martial law in eight districts bordering Cambodia. With inputs from DW. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store