The conflict in the Middle East has intensified as U.S. and Israeli forces launched large-scale attacks on Iran, prompting Iran to retaliate with missile strikes targeting eight countries. The most devastating impact on Iran, however, has come from U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles, which have caused widespread destruction in key cities such as Tehran and Chabahar.
The Tomahawk missile, a cruise missile capable of autonomous targeting, is designed to strike with high precision. Flying at low altitudes of 30 to 50 meters, it evades radar detection and can navigate complex terrain to reach its target. Even when launched from a distance of 2,500 kilometers, it can hit within 5 to 10 meters of the intended location, allowing it to penetrate structures and detonate internally, maximizing damage.
Newer versions of the Tomahawk missile are even more advanced, capable of changing trajectory mid-flight based on commands from control centers. They can loiter in the air for hours if necessary to strike at the optimal moment. Currently, the U.S. is deploying these missiles from warships and submarines, focusing on coastal targets such as Chabahar to destroy Iranian naval facilities, missile depots, and nuclear sites.
The strikes have severely weakened Iran’s defense capabilities, with reports confirming the deaths of high-ranking officials, including Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh and Army Chief Amir Hatami. Analysts warn that the continued use of advanced weaponry in this conflict could escalate the situation further, destabilizing the region and raising concerns over wider geopolitical consequences.