When Hamas launched its brutal and unprovoked war against Israel on October 7, 2023, firing thousands of rockets at civilian areas, Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system proved once again to be essential—intercepting nearly 90% of the rockets it engaged and preventing massive casualties.

But Hamas is only part of the threat. In the summer of 2025, Iran directly attacked Israel in a multi-day assault involving drones, cruise missiles, and long-range ballistic weapons. Iron Dome, together with Israel’s full air defense architecture, was pushed to the limit.

In September 2025, Israel also announced the completion of the Iron Beam defensive system, which will work alongside the Iron Dome to protect Israeli civilians. 

Here are seven things you need to know about Iron Dome—and why support for this life-saving defense system remains urgent.

1) What Is Iron Dome?

Iron Dome is a short-range missile defense system developed by two Israeli firms—Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries—with significant funding and technology sharing from the United States.

It has three components:

A radar system that detects incoming threats;A command-and-control system that calculates their trajectory;A missile launcher that fires interceptors only when a rocket threatens civilian lives or infrastructure.

The system is purely defensive. It does not target people and cannot be used for offensive military purposes. It is designed only to stop rockets, missiles, and drones from killing people.

2) How Does It Save Lives—Israeli and Palestinian?

Iron Dome protects Israelis of all faiths and backgrounds—Jews, Muslims, Christians, and Druze alike—by neutralizing rockets fired from Gaza by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad or from Lebanon by Hezbollah.

But it also saves Palestinian lives. By giving Israel a viable and targeted means of self-defense, Iron Dome reduces the need for broad ground offensives in civilian areas where terrorist groups hide their rocket launchers.

In the October 2023 war alone, Hamas and Islamic Jihad launched more than 5,000 rockets, most at urban centers. Iron Dome intercepted the majority, preventing what could have been mass civilian casualties. Similar success was repeated during Hezbollah’s escalations in northern Israel and, most recently, during Iran’s direct missile campaign.

3) How Did Iron Dome Perform in the Iran–Israel War?

In June 2025, Israel and Iran engaged in their most direct conflict to date. In retaliation for Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and missile infrastructure, Iran launched more than 150 ballistic missiles and 100 drones at Israeli territory during a 12-day escalation.

Iron Dome, together with Israel’s multi-layered missile defense system (including David’s Sling, Arrow 3, Barak, and Iron Beam), intercepted approximately 86–90% of incoming threats.Iron Dome focused on short-range threats, especially from Hezbollah and Iranian proxies in Lebanon and Syria.Longer-range Iranian ballistic missiles were intercepted by Arrow 3 and David’s Sling.Iran introduced multi-warhead missiles—including the “Haj Qassem” ballistic missile—designed to overwhelm air defenses. While many were successfully intercepted, analysts note that this new tactic strained Israel’s interceptor inventory.The U.S.-supplied THAAD and Patriot systems also played a role in protecting strategic assets.

Military experts confirmed that Iron Dome was “tested like never before” during this period. While the system performed well, the intensity and duration of the attacks raised new concerns about the sustainability of interception rates if conflict drags on or escalates again.


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4) Why—and How—Does the U.S. Fund Iron Dome?

The U.S. and Israel have long maintained a strategic defense partnership. Since 2011, the U.S. has helped fund Iron Dome, recognizing its value in saving lives and stabilizing the region.

55% of Iron Dome components are now manufactured in the U.S., supporting American jobs.The U.S. Army has purchased two Iron Dome batteries to defend American forces from similar threats.In April 2024, after the October 7 Hamas attacks, Congress passed a $14.3 billion emergency aid package that included Iron Dome replenishment, receiving strong bipartisan support.

This follows a 10-year Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2016 by President Obama, committing $38 billion in U.S. military aid to Israel, including $5 billion for missile defense.

Each Iron Dome interceptor costs around $80,000, making replenishment critical during prolonged conflicts.

5) What Is the Iron Beam and How Does It Work with Iron Dome?

Israel announced in September 2025 that its high-powered Iron Beam laser air-defense system has completed final testing and will enter service with the IDF by year’s end. Developed over a decade by the Defense Ministry, the Air Force, and Rafael, Iron Beam utilizes a high-energy laser to shoot down rockets, mortars, and drones at a minimal cost per shot, complementing systems like Iron Dome and David’s Sling. 

A lower-powered version has already downed dozens of Hezbollah drones. Renamed “Or Eitan” in memory of Cpt. Eitan Oster, a fallen commando whose father helped develop it, views the system as a major leap in Israel’s air defense capability. However, its effectiveness can be limited by poor weather conditions.

6) Has There Been Controversy in the U.S. Over Iron Dome?

Yes—but it’s the exception, not the rule.

In 2021, a small group of lawmakers objected to supplemental Iron Dome funding, forcing a stand-alone vote. But the U.S. House ultimately approved $1 billion in emergency resupply funding 420–9, with broad bipartisan support.

After October 7, 2023, there was renewed urgency in Congress to support Israel’s defenses. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX) led efforts to ensure Iron Dome resupply was part of the 2024 foreign aid package, which passed with wide bipartisan backing.

In contrast to 2021, very few lawmakers opposed the funding this time around, showing just how critical Iron Dome is to U.S. national security interests and moral commitments abroad.

In July 2025, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rep. Ilhan Omar proposed stripping $500 million from the defense bill to block Iron Dome funding—but it was defeated 422–6. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez voted to preserve Iron Dome funding—calling the distinction between defensive and offensive aid “simple and clear”—sparking backlash from progressives; her Bronx office was vandalized with the message “AOC funds genocide in Gaza,” while the Democratic Socialists of America accused her of betraying core values.

7) A Continuing Strategic U.S.-Israel Partnership

Iron Dome is just one part of a growing U.S.–Israel defense collaboration. The two allies are now working on:

Iron Beam, a new laser-based system to shoot down drones and rockets at dramatically lower cost per shot.Arrow 4, a next-gen interceptor to defend against hypersonic threats.Integration of Iron Dome into U.S. forward bases, including deployment in Guam to defend against Chinese missile threats.

Former President Joe Biden, during his visit to Israel in 2022, saw a demonstration of both Iron Dome and Iron Beam. Since then, defense cooperation has only deepened—especially in the face of Iran’s increasingly aggressive military posture.

Meanwhile, other NATO allies are also expressing interest, especially in light of the threat posed by Russia. Romania will become the first European country to purchase Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, with a formal agreement expected in the fall of 2025. Citing the need to protect airports, military bases, and cities, Romanian Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu said, “This is a short-range defense system, and it protects Tel Aviv — it will also protect us.”