Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) used its multi-warhead Kheibar Shekan ballistic missile for the first time during the 20th wave of attacks on Israeli territory, according to an IRGC statement, linked news agency Tasnim reported on June 22. This formed part of the more than 35 missiles launched by Iran at Israel overnight on June 21 and on the morning of June 22, as per N12.

The IRGC PR department said the latest assault involved firing 40 solid and liquid fuel missiles at Israeli targets on June 22 with some successfully striking Haifa, according to Israeli reports.

"In this operation, for the first time, the multi-warhead Kheibar Shekan ballistic missile from the third generation of IRGC aerospace missiles was used, utilising new and surprising tactics for more accurate, destructive and effective impact," the statement said.

The IRGC said targets included Ben Gurion Airport, the regime's biological research centre and alternative control and command centres, which were struck by guided missiles with warhead manoeuvring capabilities during landing.

The Iranian counterattack was in response to the US attack on Fordow nuclear research facility, which is close to Qom, south of Tehran. Trump's actions have now raised the stakes of a wider IRGC response to US positions across the region and beyond. Trump warned Iran not to hit US military positions in response or face a fiercer response. 

The missiles featured guidance until impact and carried different high-explosive and destructive warheads, according to the military statement.

"Once again, sirens sounded after precise impacts and threw the enemy off balance," the IRGC said, adding that "the main parts of the Islamic Republic of Iran's armed forces' capacity have not yet been operationalised in this sacred defence."

The Kheibar Shekan represents Iran's third-generation aerospace missile technology and marks an escalation in the type of weaponry deployed against Israeli targets.

During the two barrages of missiles by Iran at Israel overnight on June 21 and June 22, Israel's Ministry of Health confirmed that 86 people were treated for injuries at various Israeli hospitals, bringing the total tally of injured Israelis to 2,835 since the start of the war, as per official government figures.