Direct proof of use
Foreign Policy Research Institute analysis of June 2025 missile-defense footage identified large numbers of Arrow 3 and THAAD launches during the Israel-Iran war. The analysis counted at least 34 Arrow 3 interceptor launches by Israeli missile-defense batteries and treated that count as a verifiable lower bound, not a complete inventory of Arrow 3 expenditure.
JINSA's Shielded by Fire report separately listed Arrow 3 among the Israeli air-defense platforms employed against Iran's June 13-24 missile and drone attacks. The report said Israel used its full multi-tiered air-defense architecture, including Arrow 3, Arrow 2, David's Sling, Iron Dome, C-Dome, Barak systems, attack helicopters, and fighter aircraft.
Sources: FPRI Shallow Ramparts, JINSA Shielded by Fire
Timeline
On June 13, 2025, Israel opened Operation Rising Lion against Iran, and Iran retaliated with waves of ballistic missiles against Israel. The conflict ran through June 24, when a ceasefire was announced after additional salvos.
During that June 13-24 period, Israel and the United States coordinated air and missile defense against Iranian ballistic missiles and drones. Public source material does not provide a complete dated log of individual Arrow 3 shots, but FPRI's later video review documented at least 34 Arrow 3 launches during the war.
Sources: CRS Israel-Iran Conflict, FPRI Shallow Ramparts, JINSA Shielded by Fire
Operational role
Arrow 3 appeared in the conflict as Israel's upper-tier ballistic-missile interceptor, used within a layered defense against Iranian missile attacks. The Israel Ministry of Defense said 86 percent of ballistic missiles launched from Iran toward Israeli territory were intercepted and that enhanced Arrow system versions had been integrated shortly before the operation.
JINSA described the June conflict as an integrated U.S.-Israeli air and missile defense effort. It said U.S. personnel deployed alongside Israeli Air Force elements down to Arrow missile-system units, and that the Arrow system acted as a network node for synthesizing platform information, presenting intercept options, and sequencing engagement recommendations.
Sources: Israel MOD Operation Rising Lion Assessment, JINSA Shielded by Fire
