Israel Accuses Iran of Firing Missile with Cluster Bomb

Israel's military reports that Iran fired a missile with a cluster bomb at Israel, aiming to maximize civilian casualties. The missile released 20 submunitions over a radius of 8 km in central Israel, causing damage to a home in Azor, but no casualties were reported. The use of cluster bombs is controversial as they can cause harm long after a conflict has ended.

In a significant escalation of the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, Iran fired a ballistic missile with a cluster bomb warhead at Israel today. The missile, which is believed to be a variant of the Khorramshahr-4/Kheibar, released 20 submunitions over a radius of approximately 8 kilometers in central Israel. The strike, which occurred in the vicinity of Azor, resulted in damage to a home but no reported casualties [1].

Cluster bombs, which are designed to release multiple smaller explosive submunitions over a large area, are controversial due to their potential to cause harm long after a conflict has ended. The use of cluster bombs in this context raises concerns about the potential for long-term civilian casualties and environmental damage [2].

The Khorramshahr-4/Kheibar is one of Iran's most capable longer-range ballistic missiles, with a claimed range of around 1,250 miles (2,000 kilometers). Its use in this strike is significant as it marks a potential debut of the missile in combat, following years of testing and development [3].

The interception rate during Iran's recent missile barrage on Israel was notably lower than in previous salvos, which could be attributed to the use of cluster munition warheads. The lower interception rate suggests that defending forces are facing additional challenges in intercepting missiles carrying these warheads, especially when they split open at higher altitudes [4].

The use of cluster bombs in this strike is part of a broader trend of Iran's use of advanced ballistic missiles in its retaliatory strikes against Israel. The Iranian military has employed a variety of missiles, including the Sejjil, Haj Qassem, Kheibar Shekan, and Fattah-1, which further add to the complexity of the threat picture [5].

The financial implications of this strike are uncertain at this time. However, the use of advanced ballistic missiles and cluster bombs suggests a significant investment in military capabilities by Iran. This could have implications for regional stability and geopolitical dynamics, as well as potential impacts on the global market for military equipment and services [6].

References:
[1] https://www.twz.com/land/iran-just-used-ballistic-missiles-with-cluster-warheads-to-strike-israel
[2] https://www.twz.com/land/iran-just-used-ballistic-missiles-with-cluster-warheads-to-strike-israel
[3] https://www.twz.com/land/iran-just-used-ballistic-missiles-with-cluster-warheads-to-strike-israel
[4] https://www.twz.com/land/iran-just-used-ballistic-missiles-with-cluster-warheads-to-strike-israel
[5] https://www.twz.com/land/iran-just-used-ballistic-missiles-with-cluster-warheads-to-strike-israel
[6] https://www.twz.com/land/iran-just-used-ballistic-missiles-with-cluster-warheads-to-strike-israel