Israel used air-to-surface missile ‘Rampage’ in alleged attack on Iran: Report

According to a report, the missile employed in the suspected Israeli strike on a military facility near Isfahan in Iran was identified as 'Rampage'. The Rampage missile is an advanced air-to-surface missile developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and Israeli Military Industries Systems. Designed to be highly precise and versatile, the Rampage is capable of striking a variety of targets with pinpoint accuracy. It is one of the most powerful weapons in modern warfare.

The identification of the purported missile was based on photographic evidence and the extent of damage inflicted during the attack, the report from a Hebrew media outlet Kanpointed out.

Measuring 4.7 metres(15 feet) in length, Rampage boasts supersonic speed. To reduce the likelihood of detection and interception by enemy air defences, the Rampage has stealthiness as one of its important features that enables it to penetrate defended airspace and strike targets with reduced risk of detection. Rampage was unveiled in 2018 and weighs over half a tonne. It is specifically engineered to penetrate and eliminate fortified structures such as bunkers.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Also Read |IDF jets hit Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon overnight

Iran has downplayed the incident claiming only the involvement of three small drones. Tehran refuted claims of any missile strikes by the Jewish nation and the Iranian foreign minister even went on to say that they were not drones but toys our children play with.

Also Read |Israel to summon envoys for voting in favour of Palestine's full UN membership

An earlier report said that Israel used the missilein alleged strike on Iranian air defences near the Natanz nuclear site. However, Iranian news agencies said that no nuclear site was hit in the strike.

Watch |Israel-Hamas war: Netanyahu, Gantz slam US plan to sanction IDF unit

The report said that these actions taken by Israel were intended to deter Iran from future direct assaults on Israel, the country that has been involved in a war with Hamas in Gaza for over six months. Reports also suggested that Israel had plans for a broader strike on Iran however the war cabinet later dropped the idea because of the small damage the Iranian strikes incurred on Israel.

The situation between Iran and Israel escalated earlier when Israel hit the Iranian consulate in the city of Damascus in Syria on April 1. The muted response reported post-Israeli strikes on Isfahan, experts say, could be a sign of de-escalation from both the parties.

(With inputs from agencies)