TEHRAN / TEL AVIV — In a major escalation of the five-day-old conflict, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced at dawn on Thursday, March 5, 2026, that it had successfully targeted Israel’s primary international gateway, Ben Gurion Airport, using its most powerful ballistic missiles. The operation, conducted under the code name "Ya Hassan ibn Ali," involved the launch of multiple Khorramshahr-4 missiles, each equipped with a devastating one-ton high-explosive warhead.
Targeting the Heart of Tel Aviv According to a statement released by the IRGC’s Public Relations department, the Iranian military aimed the "heavy" missiles at three specific locations: the "heart of Tel Aviv," Ben Gurion International Airport, and what it described as a strategic airbase allegedly located within the airport complex. Iranian military officials claimed the projectiles "penetrated seven layers" of Israeli and American-made air defense systems, including the newly deployed THAAD battery, to achieve "effective hits."
The Khorramshahr-4, also known as the Kheibar, is a liquid-fueled ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers. Its primary feature is its massive payload capacity; a single hit from a one-ton warhead is capable of leveling large structures and leaving massive craters, posing a far greater threat than the smaller drones and rockets used in previous waves of the conflict. The IRGC noted that this specific missile was chosen for its ability to carry a high-explosive, "smart" warhead that can be guided even during the final atmospheric reentry phase.
Impact on Aviation and Repatriation In Israel, the arrival of the missile barrage triggered widespread air raid sirens across the central Gush Dan region, forcing thousands of residents into underground shelters. The timing of the attack was particularly sensitive, as it coincided with the first repatriation flights attempting to bring home some of the 100,000 Israelis stranded abroad since the war began on February 28.
One El Al flight arriving from Tbilisi was reportedly just one minute from touching down when the sirens sounded. The pilot was forced to abort the landing and climb back to a holding altitude for 20 minutes before finally landing safely once the "all-clear" was given. While the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the majority of incoming projectiles were intercepted by the Arrow-3 and David’s Sling systems, they did acknowledge that one missile struck an "open area" in a central town, though no direct hits on the airport runways were officially confirmed by the Israeli Ministry of Transportation.
A War of Narratives The IRGC has described the strikes as a "crushing response" to the joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign that has devastated Iranian infrastructure and claimed the life of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Tehran warned that its arsenal of heavy missiles has only just begun to be deployed and that future waves will be "more intense and widespread."
Despite the claims of "significant damage" from Tehran, Israel's government announced that the airport would remain open for limited repatriation traffic. However, the psychological impact of one-ton warheads falling near the nation's most vital transport hub has led to further cancellations by the few remaining international carriers still operating in the region. As of Thursday afternoon, the "sky blockade" of Israel remains largely in effect, with only state-sanctioned rescue missions braving the risks of the ongoing missile exchange.
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