Iran Fires 'Dancing Missile' For 1st Time In This War: All You Need To Know

Iran on Sunday launched a series of advanced missiles targeting Israeli and US positions, including the Sejjil missile, which has been used for the first time since the war began on February 28, Iranian news outlet PressTV reported.

The Sejjil is an indigenously designed and developed two-stage ballistic missile powered by solid propellant.

It is also known by other names, including the Sajjil, Ashoura, and Ashura missile.

What Is The Sejjil Missile?

Iran's Sejjil-2 is a two-stage, solid-fuel medium-range ballistic missile with an estimated range of about 2,000 kilometres and a payload capacity of roughly 700 kilograms.

Because of its high-altitude manuvering ability, it has been nicknamed the "dancing missile," a reference to its capability to evade missile defense systems such as the Iron Dome.

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the missile is around 18 meters long, has a diameter of about 1.25 meters, and weighs roughly 23,600 kilograms.

That means it is about 60 ft. long and weighs over 52,000 pounds with a 1,700 pound warhead.

Iran's Sejjil-2 ballastic missile is a 60 foot long, 52,000 pound ballastic missile with a 1,700 pound warhead.

Iran began designing the Sejjil missile in the early 1990s.

Iran's Sejjil-2 is a two-stage, solid-fuel medium-range ballistic missile with an estimated range of about 2,000 kilometers. (1,242 miles)

According to Jane's Information Group, details of the design other than the number of stages and that it uses solid fuel have not been released.

Uzi Rubin, former director of Israel's Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, indicated that, "Unlike other Iranian missiles, the Sajil bears no resemblance to any North Korean, Russian, Chinese or Pakistani (missile technology).

It demonstrates a significant leap in Iran's missile capabilities."

Rubin went on to state that the Sejil-1 " ... places Iran in the realm of multiple-stage missiles, which means that they are on the way to having intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capabilities ..."

The missile utilizes composite solid fuel and unlike the Shahab-3 medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM), which is launched only vertically, the Sejil could be launched at a variable angle.

As a weapon, Sejil presents much more challenge to Iran's potential enemies, as solid-fuel missiles can be launched with much less notice than liquid-fueled missiles, making them more difficult to strike prior to launch.

Iran claims that if launched from the city of Natanz, it could reach Tel Aviv in less than seven minutes.

On June 18, 2025, during the Iran-Israel War the IRGC claimed to have fired a Sejjil missile at Israel; Israel claims the missile was intercepted with fragments causing minor damage to a vehicle.