Deadly And Banned: What To Know About Cluster Bombs Iran Used On Israel

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Last Updated:June 20, 2025, 18:45 IST

Israel-Iran Conflict: What makes cluster bombs particularly dangerous is their indiscriminate nature and their long-term threat to civilians.

Israel has accused Iran of using a cluster bomb in a missile strike- marking the first reported use of such a weapon in the current conflict. According to Israeli officials, the missile carried submunitions intended to maximize damage over a wide area. The use of cluster bombs is widely condemned due to their long-term danger to civilians and more than 120 countries have banned them. Iran, however, is not among them.

What Are Cluster Bombs?

Cluster bombs are a type of explosive weapon that release multiple smaller bomblets or submunitions over a large area. The weapon can be dropped from an aircraft or launched from the ground typically as part of a missile or artillery system. Once in the air, the main shell opens and scatters submunitions across an area the size of several football fields. Each bomblet is designed to explode on impact, targeting troops, vehicles or infrastructure spread over a wide zone.

Why Are Cluster Bombs Considered So Dangerous?

What makes cluster bombs particularly dangerous is their indiscriminate nature and their long-term threat to civilians. Many of the submunitions fail to detonate on impact, effectively turning war zones into deadly minefields. These unexploded bomblets can lie dormant for years, posing a fatal risk to anyone who accidentally comes across them. The cleanup process is slow, expensive and dangerous. In countries like Laos and Lebanon, civilians continue to die from cluster munitions decades after conflicts ended.

Are Cluster Bombs Banned?

Yes, cluster bombs are banned by many nations. In 2008, over 120 countries signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), which bans the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster bombs. However, Iran, Israel, the United States, Russia and China have not signed the treaty.

Have Cluster Bombs Been Used Recently?

Yes. In March 2025, Russia reportedly used cluster munitions in a deadly strike on Dobropillia, eastern Ukraine, killing 11 civilians and injuring 40. The incident drew international condemnation and renewed debate over the use of cluster munitions in populated areas.

What Happens Now?

Iran’s use of cluster bombs in Israel marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict- raising not only legal and ethical concerns but also long-term risks for civilians in the affected areas.

Location :

Israel

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