Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) use Iranian-manufactured anti-tank missiles (ATGMs) during Operation "Iron Swords." The organizations utilize Iranian variants of the Russian Kornet-E system, consisting of the 9P163‐1 launcher and 9M133‐1 missile. Iran claimed it had begun producing the Dehlavieh in 2012.
Additionally, a dual launcher version of the Dehlaviyeh ATGM system has been observed, allowing for the rapid firing of two missiles consecutively. This system has been identified in use with Hezbollah, referred to as ‘Thar-Allah.'
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In February of this year, a British destroyer, HMS Lancaster, intercepted a shipment of similar Iranian-made anti-tank missiles. The cargo was discovered on a small vessel spotted in the Gulf of Oman with the assistance of a US unmanned aircraft. Among the seven Kornet-type missiles confiscated, two were labeled as 9M133-1s produced in 2018, while the remainder were identified as longer-range 9M133-2s manufactured in 2021. Notably, two of the older missiles and two of the 9M133-2s were designated as thermobaric weapons, with the others classified as anti-tank missiles. The seizure also included components for medium-range ballistic missiles. In February 2020, the US Navy intercepted a shipment of 150 Dehlavieh anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) manufactured in Iran and intended for the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The Dehlavieh system, along with its dual launchers, has been extensively employed by Hezbollah against IDF targets during "Operation Iron Swords." This ATGM system is notable for firing two missiles at the same target with a 0.4-second interval, ensuring precision by allowing the second missile to strike after the first.
Recently, during an Iranian regular army (Artesh) Ground Forces exercise known as Eghtedar (Authority) 1402, held between October 27-28 in the Nasrabad region of Isfahan's central province, the Dehlaviyeh ATGM was fired from a dual launcher installed on M113 armored personnel carriers (APC).
According to Kayhan's report, Iranian military experts have successfully extended the range of ground-based and air-based versions of the Dehlaviyeh missile, increasing it from 5.5 to 8 kilometers. Additionally, the Dehlaviyeh twin-arm laser-guided missile launcher has been utilized by the Army Ground Force.
Iran stands as the primary supplier of weapons to various terrorist organizations operating in the region, commonly referred to as the "Axis of Resistance." These missiles are now in the possession of pro-Iranian Shiite militias in Syria and Iraq, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Palestinian terrorist groups in Gaza. It's also plausible that these armaments have been transferred to Shiite groups in Gulf countries. Several years ago, Iran's leader, Khamenei, urged the arming of Palestinians in the West Bank, and it's conceivable that these weapons were illicitly transported to that region, too.
Iran's role as a supplier of advanced weaponry to these groups underscores its commitment to supporting and supplying the "Axis of Resistance" warfare throughout the Middle East. The development and enhancement of such missiles, as well as a variety of rockets and drone systems by Iran, demonstrate its commitment to expand its influence and maintain a network of armed proxies throughout the region to target Israel and USA assets.
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