missiles
Missiles are the primary offensive instrument of the Iranian-led axis and North Korea, serving as tools for strategic coercion and direct kinetic engagement. As of July 2026, the conflict has escalated into direct state-on-state missile warfare involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Missiles represent the defining threat to Israeli national security and regional stability. Unlike conventional air forces, missile arsenals allow adversarial regimes to project power across borders with minimal risk to their own personnel. The Iranian Escalation. In mid-2026, the long-standing shadow war between Israel and Iran transitioned into direct kinetic conflict. Following initial barrages in June, July 2026 saw a massive expansion of missile operations. Iran has targeted not only Israeli population centers but also U.S. regional assets in Iraq, Jordan, and the Persian Gulf. Reports indicate Iranian missiles have struck U.S. bases in Jordan and targeted the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. The Allied Response. The United States and Israel have moved from defensive interception to offensive neutralization. In July 2026, the U.S. conducted six consecutive nights of airstrikes targeting Iranian 'missile cities'—underground facilities built into granite mountains, such as those in Yazd and near Shiraz. Satellite imagery has confirmed the destruction of Transporter Erector Launchers (TELs) near the Kermanshah underground facility, likely struck by the IAF before they could be deployed. Regional Proliferation. Beyond the immediate Israel-Iran theater, the missile threat has expanded to include strikes on Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. North Korea remains a critical node in this global threat, with Kim Jong Un ordering a 2.5-fold increase in production in June 2026. For Israel, the challenge remains multi-layered: intercepting incoming ballistic and cruise missiles while simultaneously conducting deep-strike operations to dismantle the infrastructure used to launch them.