ballistic missiles
Ballistic missiles are rocket-propelled projectiles that follow a suborbital trajectory to deliver warheads to a target. In the Middle Eastern theater, they represent the primary strategic tool used by the Iranian regime and its proxies to threaten Israeli population centers, military infrastructure, and regional stability.
Ballistic missiles are distinguished from cruise missiles by their flight path: they are launched into the upper atmosphere or space before descending toward their target at hypersonic speeds under the influence of gravity. This high-altitude trajectory and extreme velocity make them significantly more difficult to intercept than standard rockets or drones, requiring advanced multi-layered defense systems such as Israel's Arrow 2 and Arrow 3. For the Iranian-led axis, the ballistic missile arsenal serves as a pillar of strategic deterrence and a means of direct kinetic confrontation.
Since early 2026, the Islamic Republic has transitioned from using these weapons via regional proxies to launching direct strikes from Iranian territory. A critical escalation occurred in June 2026, when the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched multiple barrages targeting Israeli population centers and military infrastructure, including the Ramat David Airbase. In response, the IDF launched Operation 'Roar of the Lion,' targeting Iranian missile production infrastructure and air defense arrays. By July and August 2026, the conflict expanded to include direct Iranian missile strikes against United States military assets in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
On August 31, 2026, ballistic missiles were observed crossing Jordanian airspace toward a U.S. military base, highlighting the continued use of Jordan as a transit corridor for Iranian strikes. Concurrently, the regional response to this threat has solidified through defense procurement; Greece and Israel signed the $3.6 billion 'Achilles Shield' agreement to establish a multi-layered air and missile defense network. This development underscores the growing necessity for regional allies to integrate advanced interception capabilities against the evolving Iranian ballistic threat, which now includes air-launched variants (ALBMs) capable of being released from standoff distances.