The Economic Times

Did Iran deploy Kamikaze Drones against Arab nations? How they work and why they are deadly

Today, the United States and Israel launched a joint military strike on Iran in an operation the Pentagon is calling Operation Epic Fury and Israel is calling Operation Roaring Lion. Strikes have hit Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. President Trump announced major combat operations, stating the objective is to destroy Iran's missile and military capabilities, prevent nuclear weapons, and topple the Iranian regime. Over 70% of recent battlefield equipment losses involve drones and loitering munitions. The kamikaze drone is now a core modern warfare tool. It is a single-use UAV. It finds a target. Then it crashes and explodes. Costs start near $10,000. Cruise missiles cost over $1 million. This follows the Twelve-Day War of June 2025, in which Israel and the US struck Iranian nuclear sites. That earlier war saw Iran fire over 550 ballistic missiles and over 1,000 suicide/kamikaze drones at Israel.