EXPLAINERFeatures|US-Israel war on IranWhat are Iran’s cluster munitions that are penetrating Israeli defences?Cluster bombs disperse munitions over a wide area and are particularly dangerous for civilians, analysts say.
## Recent Developments in the Iran-Israel Conflict
Recent Developments in the Iran-Israel Conflict
On March 17, Iran launched a series of cluster missile attacks on central Israel, targeting the Ramat Gan area near Tel Aviv. The strikes resulted in two fatalities and multiple injuries, alongside significant property damage, including impacts on a Tel Aviv train station.
Technical Characteristics of Cluster Munitions
Cluster munitions disperse multiple smaller explosive devices, or “bomblets,” increasing the potential for widespread damage compared to conventional warheads. These mechanisms can be deployed using various missile types, including ballistic and long-range missiles. Iranian cluster warheads reportedly contain between 20 to 80 bomblets, depending on the missile variant.
Iran’s missile arsenal is considered the largest and most diverse in the Middle East, comprising ballistic and cruise missiles designed to compensate for its lack of a modern air force. Key systems include the Shahab-3, Emad, Ghadr-1, Khorramshahr variants, Sejjil, Kheibar Shekan, and Haj Qassem. Iran also possesses long-range surface-to-air and antiship cruise missiles, such as the Soumar, Ya-Ali, Quds variants, Hoveyzeh, Paveh, and Ra’ad.
On March 17, Iran launched a series of cluster missile attacks on central Israel, targeting the Ramat Gan area near Tel Aviv.
Cluster munitions are challenging to intercept due to their multiple submunitions, which complicate defense systems’ ability to neutralize them effectively. The legal status of cluster munitions remains contentious, with 111 countries being parties to the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits their use. Israel and Iran are not signatories to this convention.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict: The US authorized the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine in 2023, despite humanitarian concerns. Israeli Operations in Lebanon: Israel has been accused of using cluster bombs during its military operations in Lebanon, with evidence presented in UK Parliament citing the involvement of Israeli arms manufacturers. Sudan: Human Rights Watch reported evidence of cluster bomb use by Sudan in civilian areas of Southern Kordofan in 2015.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
