This incident marks the first reported use of cluster munitions in the current round of hostilities between Iran and Israel. The Israeli military and its embassy in Washington stated that the missile targeted a densely populated civilian area and accused Iran of using wide-area munitions to increase the potential harm to civilians.
Cluster munitions are designed to break apart in mid-air and release multiple smaller explosives over a broad area. These bomblets, typically weighing less than 20 kilograms each, fall without guidance and are meant to explode on impact.The purpose is to damage multiple targets spread out over a wide zone. They can be launched using various systems, such as artillery shells, rockets, missiles, or aircraft. Some artillery shells can carry dozens of bomblets, while rockets may carry hundreds.
For example, the M26A1/A2 rocket used in the US military holds 518 bomblets, while the M864 artillery shell holds 76. The US widely used these weapons during the Cold War, though production stopped in 2008, and many stockpiles have since been modified to comply with international agreements. The M77, one of the more advanced bomblets used by the US, can damage both vehicles and personnel.
Unlike a standard warhead that explodes once in a single location, cluster munitions are designed for broader impact. However, this also increases the risk to civilians because they cover large areas and may not always hit military targets.
A significant concern is that many bomblets fail to explode immediately. These unexploded ordnances, or duds, can remain active for years and cause harm long after the fighting ends. Estimates of failure rates vary from 2% to 40%, depending on the manufacturer and condition.
US cluster munitions generally have lower dud rates, while those from Russia and other sources often have higher rates. Weapons made by Iran are considered less accurate, which increases the chances of civilian impact.
Cluster munitions are banned under the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits their use, production, transfer, and stockpiling. The treaty has been signed by 112 countries and 12 observers. However, Iran, Israel, the United States, Russia, and Ukraine are not parties to this agreement.
While the US stopped producing these weapons in 2008, it still maintains the option to use them. In 2023, the US sent cluster munitions to Ukraine, citing similar usage by Russian forces.
Following Thursday’s strike, Israeli experts began investigating whether the missile might have used MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle) technology. While not the same as cluster munitions, MIRVs also release multiple warheads from a single missile.
Unlike bomblets, each MIRV warhead can be guided toward a separate target. There has been no official confirmation of MIRV usage by Iran, but the investigation reflects concern over the possible advancement of Iran’s missile capabilities.
Cluster munitions are controversial because they affect large areas and pose long-term risks. Their use in populated regions, such as in this case, increases the risk to civilians both during and after the conflict.
(With input from agencies)
