What is Blue Sparrow? The “missile from space” reportedly used in Iran strike and how it works

Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28, 2026, during a major military strike carried out as part of coordinated operations by Israel and the United States targeting senior Iranian leadership and key strategic facilities across Iran.

The development has significantly heightened tensions across West Asia, with reports suggesting that several high-ranking Iranian officials were also killed during the operation.

Whai is Blue Sparrow

According to multiple media reports, Israel used an advanced jet-launched ballistic weapon known as the Blue Sparrow, often referred to as a “missile from space.” The weapon believed to have been used in the operation is an advanced air-launched ballistic missile developed by Israel.

A report by The Telegraph states that the missile has a range of approximately 1,240 miles (around 2,000 kilometres). Its flight path takes it close to the edge of Earth’s atmosphere before descending rapidly toward its target. Because of this trajectory, it is sometimes described as a “missile from space.”

The Blue Sparrow missile is around 6.5 metres long and weighs nearly 1.9 tonnes, according to technical details cited in several reports.

How the Missile System Works
The missile is typically launched from fighter aircraft and travels along a ballistic trajectory. During its flight, it releases a re-entry vehicle that strikes the intended target at extremely high speed.

The Blue Sparrow is part of a wider missile family that also includes the Black Sparrow and Silver Sparrow systems. These systems were originally developed to simulate Soviet Scud missiles for testing air-defence capabilities.

According to Israeli officials, the operation resulted in the deaths of more than 40 senior Iranian leaders, including Mohammad Pakpour, who served as the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).