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Ballistic missiles follow a high-arc trajectory that carries them through the upper atmosphere before terminal descent.
That profile, compared to cruise missiles or low-flying drones, changes the interception geometry and compresses the response window for whatever air defense systems were protecting the target sites.
Washington says Tehran launched this class of weapon at US military installations in the Middle East. President Trump has pledged to deliver a "beating" to Iran in retaliation.
The weapon classification Ballistic missiles leave a distinct thermal signature at launch, one that early-warning satellite networks are specifically built to catch.
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