The Blue Sparrow missile travels on a quasi-ballistic path, rising to very high altitude above the Earth’s atmosphere before plunging sharply down toward its target.
Israel’s ‘Blue Sparrow’ strike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader came from near space
The death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reportedly came from an attack launched far above the battlefield — almost from the edge of space.
According to reports, the 86-year-old cleric was killed after a powerful air-launched missile known as the Blue Sparrow struck his heavily protected residence in Tehran. The missile, capable of travelling at extreme altitude before diving rapidly toward Earth, was used in a coordinated strike carried out by Israel.
The attack, reportedly conducted with support from the United States, marked a dramatic escalation in tensions and signalled the opening phase of a wider conflict spreading across the Middle East.
Strike on Tehran compound
Reports indicate the missile was launched during a carefully coordinated Israeli operation targeting senior Iranian leadership gathered at Khamenei’s compound on Pasteur Street in Tehran. Several top officials had reportedly assembled there for a meeting when the strike occurred.
Iranian state media confirmed the supreme leader’s death the following morning.
Missile that climbs to near space
The Blue Sparrow missile follows what defence analysts call a quasi-ballistic trajectory. After launch, it climbs to extremely high altitude — approaching the edge of space — before plunging sharply back toward its target at very high speed.
The system was originally developed as part of Israel’s Sparrow missile family, which also includes the Black Sparrow and Silver Sparrow systems. Initially designed to simulate Soviet-era Scud missiles for missile defence testing, the weapon was later adapted for operational strike roles.
The missile measures about 6.5 metres in length and weighs roughly 1.9 tonnes. It has an estimated range of around 2,000 kilometres (1,240 miles) and is typically launched from fighter aircraft such as the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle.
Once released, a booster rocket propels the missile to high altitude. It then separates and re-enters the atmosphere at immense speed before descending steeply onto its target.
Because of this sharp downward trajectory, air defence systems have very little time to react, making interception extremely difficult — particularly when heavily protected or fortified sites are targeted.
Operation targeting Iranian leadership
The strike was reportedly part of a wider Israeli campaign dubbed Operation Epic Fury, which aimed to hit key Iranian military and political leadership figures.
Israeli fighter jets are said to have departed shortly after 7:30 am local time in Iran, reaching their launch positions roughly two hours later.
At around 9:40 am, approximately 30 precision-guided weapons, including several Blue Sparrow missiles, were fired toward Khamenei’s compound and other nearby facilities.
Videos shared on social media soon after the strike showed thick plumes of smoke rising from multiple areas across Tehran, including the supreme leader’s residence. Later satellite imagery suggested several buildings inside the complex had sustained severe damage.
Intelligence mission years in the making
The operation reportedly followed years of intelligence work by Israel’s spy agency Mossad and the cyber intelligence unit Unit 8200.
Israeli intelligence agencies are believed to have spent years studying Khamenei’s security arrangements and monitoring activity around the compound.
According to reports, the surveillance effort involved hacking traffic camera systems and analysing communication networks across Tehran. This allowed intelligence analysts to build what officials described as a detailed “pattern of life” profile of Iran’s leadership.
The decision to carry out the strike reportedly came after intelligence suggested that several senior officials would attend a rare in-person meeting with the supreme leader on Saturday morning.
Waiting for the right moment
Sources say Khamenei had been spending most nights inside a deeply fortified underground bunker beneath his residence, which Iranian officials believed would protect him from aerial attacks.
Israeli planners therefore waited for an unusual moment when he and his senior commanders were gathered above ground.
Shortly before the missiles were launched, Israeli cyber units reportedly disrupted mobile phone networks around the compound to prevent warnings from reaching security personnel.
When the strike occurred, Iranian officials were reportedly holding their morning meeting.
Senior leaders also killed
Alongside Khamenei, several senior members of Iran’s military leadership — including figures linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — were reportedly killed in the strike.
Some reports also suggested that members of the supreme leader’s family present during the meeting may have been among those killed.
