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Sejjil

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sejil
TypeIntermediate-range ballistic missile
Place of originIran
Service history
In serviceNot disclosed[1]
Used byIran
Production history
ManufacturerIran
Specifications
Mass22.5 tonnes[2]
Length18.2 m[2]
Diameter1.25 m[2]
Warhead weight500–1,500 kg[3]
PropellantSolid fuel
Operational
range
2,000[4] (but see text)
Accuracyto 50m
Launch
platform
Mobile launcher[5]

Sejil, or Sejjil, (Persian: سجیل, lit. 'brimstone') is an Iranian two-staged solid-fueled intermediate-range ballistic missile. The Sejil is a replacement for Iran's Shahab liquid-fueled ballistic missiles.[5]

Multiple sources report that the Sejjil is a rename of Iran's Ashura missile.[6][7][8][9] As of 2026, the Sejjil is one of Iran's three longest-range missiles, along with the Shahab-3 and Emad missiles.[10]

Design

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The Sejil is a two-stage, solid-propellant, surface-to-surface missile (SSM) produced by Iran with a reported 2,000 km (1,200 mi) range.[2] Institute for the Study of War and Defense Intelligence Agency report a 2,000 km range[10][8][4], but Iran Watch reports a range of up to 2,500 km.[1]

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 " ... places Iran in the realm of multiple-stage missiles, which means that they are on the way to having intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capabilities ..."[6] The CEP is unknown.[1]

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.[11] 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.[12]

Iran claims that if launched from the city of Natanz, it could reach Tel Aviv in less than seven minutes.[13]

Variants

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  • Sejil-2: According to CSIS Missile Threat, it is unclear if there is an independent Sejil-2 variant, or whether the name is simply a reference by Iran to testing in 2009 of the original Sejil.[3]
  • Sejil-3: According to CSIS Missile Threat, unconfirmed reports about the development of a Sejil-3 state that it would reportedly have three stages, a maximum range of 4,000 km, and a launch weight of 38,000 kg.[3]

Operational history

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A successful test launch took place on 13 November 2008. Its range, if confirmed, would allow it to strike targets as far away as Israel and southeastern Europe.[14] A Sejjil-2 missile underwent a successful test on 20 May 2009.[1] There were several later tests.[1] In December 2009, Iran reported that they had test fired an upgraded Sejjil version with a shorter launch time.[1] In 2014 the Sejjil was described as "not deployed."[7] There were no reported tests between 2012 and 2020.[1]

On 25 March 2025, Iran showed Sejjil missiles in a new underground missile base, alongside Kheibar Shekan, Emad, Haj Qassem, and Ghadr missiles. The location was undisclosed.[15]

On June 18, 2025, during the Twelve-Day 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.[16] Analysts said this may have reflected a need to use longer-range missiles from deeper within Iranian territory.[17]

Iran may have tested a Sejjil missile at Semnan Space Center on 18 September 2025, but other missiles cannot be ruled out.[18]

In March 2026, Iran claimed to have launched a Sejjil missile at Israel.[19]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Iran's Missile Program: Past and Present". iranwatch.org. 2020-06-29. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Theodore Postol (31 May 2009). The Sejil Ballistic Missile (PDF) (Report). Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 "Sejjil | Missile Threat | CSIS Missile Defense Project". Missile Threat.
  4. 1 2 "2017 Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat". nasic.af.mil. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
  5. 1 2 "Iran Tests Second Solid-Fuelled Sejil Missile, Capable of 2,900 km". Defense Update. 2009-05-20. Archived from the original on 2009-05-23. Retrieved 2009-05-21.
  6. 1 2 Lauren Gelfand and Alon Ben-David (14 November 2008). "New missile marks 'significant leap' for Iran capabilities". Jane's Defence Weekly. Archived from the original on 4 December 2008.
  7. 1 2 Anthony H. Cordesman (2014-10-07). "Iran's Rocket and Missile Forces and Strategic Options" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-10-18. Retrieved 2017-10-25.
  8. 1 2 "Iran MilitaryPower" (PDF). dia.mil. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
  9. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20081123220111/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5140676.ece
  10. 1 2 "Iran Update Special Report". understandingwar.org. July 1, 2026. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
  11. ↑ "Sejil Technology Surpasses Shahab-3". FarsNews. 2008-11-18. Retrieved 2012-05-23.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  12. ↑ "Iran, U.S.: Missile Claims and BMD in Europe (pay site)". STRATFOR. 2008-11-12. Archived from the original on 2012-02-13. Retrieved 2010-02-09.
  13. ↑ Israel accelerating Arrow-4, sensor development due to Iranian hypersonic threat. Breaking Defense. 15 November 2022.
  14. ↑ "Iran tests new long-range missile". BBC. 2008-11-12. Retrieved 2008-11-12.
  15. ↑ https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-march-26-2025/
  16. ↑ "Iran says it fired a ultra-heavy, two stage Sejjil missile at Israel". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  17. ↑ https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-special-report-june-18-2025-evening-edition/
  18. ↑ https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-september-19-2025/
  19. ↑ https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-evening-special-report-march-15-2026/
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