Iran claims to have launched hypersonic Fattah 1 missiles at Israel, a claim met with skepticism by experts. While hypersonic missiles travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 and possess advanced navigation, experts debate whether the Fattah 1 meets these criteria. The US and China are the only confirmed developers of true hypersonic missiles, while other nations, including Russia, have tested similar but less advanced technology. Israel's missile defense system has proven effective against Iranian missiles to date, as speed is less critical than maneuverability, which the Fattah 1 lacks. The development and deployment of hypersonic weapons are causing concern globally, prompting increased defense spending and research into countermeasures.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.