While Israeli media are talking about the "Rampage" air-launched cruise missile, the range of that missile is a fraction of that needed to hit Isfahan without overflight, including refueling, of Syrian and Iraqi airspace. //

John Ridge 🇺🇸 🇺🇦
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Apr 19
@John_A_Ridge
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So my initial gut feeling was correct, it was not UAVs. The IAF carried out a standoff attack from Syrian airspace with Sparrow, likely Blue Sparrow, air-launched ballistic missiles released from F-15Is.

Booster wreckage was recovered in Iraq //

John Ridge 🇺🇸 🇺🇦
@John_A_Ridge
Clarification: based on input from @orfialkov, this wreckage may be from Rocks specifically.

Rocks is the purpose-designed ALBM derivative of Sparrow produced by Rafael. This would expand the potential launch platforms from F-15A/B Baz and F-15I Ra’am to include F-16I Sufa.
10:37 AM · Apr 19, 2024 //

The message sent was clear. Israel doesn't need to launch hundreds of weapons that violate the airspace of neighboring countries. Israel can cut its way through what passes for an air defense system in Iran and dump ballistic missiles on a very specific target deep in Iran. Thursday, that target was an S-300 surface-to-air missile system. Tomorrow, it may be something a little more precious.

Was the message received? I think so.
...
Khameini didn't mention Israel's counterattack.

Message received.