US Edition
Israel says Iran is using cluster munitions. What to know about the weapons
Nearly half of the 300 missiles launched by Iran at Israel carried cluster bomb warheads, posing lethal risks and complicating Israel's air defense, the IDF said.
- During the 10-day war, Israel said Iran has fired cluster munitions, adding a complicated and deadly challenge to Israel's already-stretched air defenses.
- Iran has used them frequently, military spokesmen say, firing cluster munitions nearly daily and similar projectiles during the 12-day clash in June, using Khorramshahr medium-range ballistic missiles and Zolfaghar shorter-range missiles that carry submunitions.
- The bomblets often resemble orange fireballs at night as Iranian warheads release 20 to 24 submunitions with up to 5 kilograms of explosives, scattering several hundred meters to kilometers.
- With most missiles aimed at densely populated areas, officials warn of greater civilian risk as Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command distributed flyers urging residents not to touch unexploded submunitions.
- Amnesty International in July 2025 called Iran's 'deliberate use of such inherently indiscriminate weapons is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law', and over 120 nations have signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which Iran has not joined.
49 Articles
49 Articles
Israel tells B.T. that half of Iran's missiles are cluster bombs. US military experts warn of possible war crimes.
Iran used cluster bombs in missile attacks on Israel. But do you know what a cluster bomb is? A cluster bomb is a weapon that explodes in mid-air, scattering dozens or hundreds of small bombs, called submunitions.
Iran’s cluster munitions targeting Israel: Why are these weapons so dangerous?
Cluster munitions used by Iran reportedly release 20-24 bomblets from high altitudes of 7-10 km. Difficult to intercept once dispersed, the submunitions can remain unexploded and lethal. Over 120 countries ban cluster bombs, but Iran, Israel and the United States are not signatories to the treaty
Armament was used for the first time in World War II and is considered a risk to the civilian population, even after the end of the conflict.
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