Iran Launches Sejjil For 1st Time In Ongoing West Asia War. All About The ‘Dancing Missile’

Last Updated:March 16, 2026, 07:27 IST

Because of its ability to manoeuvre at high altitude and potentially evade missile defence systems such as Israel’s Iron Dome, it has been nicknamed the “dancing missile.”

West Asia Conflict: As the tension rises in West Asia due to the ongoing war between Iran and Israel and the United States, Tehran on Sunday launched a series of advanced missiles targeting positions linked to Jerusalem and Washington, including the country’s domestically developed Sejjil missile, which was reportedly used for the first time since the war began on February 28.

According to Iranian news outlet Press TV, the Sejjil missile was among the weapons fired as the conflict in the Middle East entered its third week.

What Is The Sejjil Missile?

The Sejjil — also referred to as Sajjil, Ashoura or Ashura — is an indigenously developed two-stage ballistic missile powered by solid propellant. It is classified as a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) with an estimated range of about 2,000 kilometres and a payload capacity of roughly 700 kilograms.

The missile’s solid-fuel design allows it to be prepared and launched more quickly than older liquid-fuel systems such as the Shahab series, reducing the time available for adversaries to detect and intercept it.

Because of its ability to manoeuvre at high altitude and potentially evade missile defence systems such as Israel’s Iron Dome, it has been nicknamed the “dancing missile."

According to the Centre for Strategic and Studies (CSIS), the missile is about 18 metres long, has a diameter of around 1.25 metres and a launch weight of approximately 23,600 kilograms.

Work on the Sejjil system began in the early 1990s. The first test launch was conducted in 2008, when the missile reportedly travelled about 800 kilometres. A second test in 2009 was aimed at evaluating improvements to its guidance and navigation systems. Subsequent tests have reportedly demonstrated ranges of up to about 1,900 kilometres.

Iran is also believed to have developed multiple variants of the system, including the Sejjil-2, while reports have suggested that a possible Sejjil-3 variant could be under development.

Iran-US-Israel War Enters 3rd Week

The latest missile launch comes as the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States enters its third week.

The fighting escalated after the United States and Israel carried out strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities last month. In response, Iran launched retaliatory attacks targeting Israel as well as US-linked military sites in the Gulf region.

The conflict has already resulted in heavy casualties and widespread disruption across the West Asia, affecting air travel routes and oil shipments from the region. Reports say the war has already killed more than 2,000 people, most of them in Iran.

The Pentagon has said that US and Israeli forces have struck more than 15,000 targets across Iran since the conflict began. US media have also reported that the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA‑7) has been deployed to the region along with around 2,500 Marines as the fighting continues.

News world Iran Launches Sejjil For 1st Time In Ongoing West Asia War. All About The ‘Dancing Missile’

Read More