What are cluster bombs used by Iran in war and why are they criticized?

What are cluster missiles, which Israel accuses Iran of using in the war? Iran used a “cluster bomb” in an attack on Tuesday night (17) in Israel, in retaliation for the death of Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme Security Council and one of the most important men in the Iranian regime. According to Iranian state TV, missiles carrying this type of explosive were aimed at Tel Aviv, in Israel. 🔎There is a 2008 convention that prohibits the use of this type of ammunition, but neither Israel nor Iran are signatories — and are not obliged to follow it. ✅ Follow the g1 international news channel on WhatsApp Israel’s military forces have accused the Iranian regime of using cluster missiles in attacks against its territory since the start of the war. Iran launches cluster bombs towards Tel Aviv Anadolu Agency via Reuters Normally restrictive regarding the dissemination of information about attacks and damage caused by Iran, Israeli authorities have sought, in recent days, to raise public awareness about the dangers of these bombs, which can remain on the ground even after civilians leave their shelters. In the last week, at least three people died, including two at a construction site in central Israel on Tuesday (10), due to an attack by Iran against Israel. In June 2025, during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, Israel had already denounced the use of this type of ammunition by Tehran. Israel, in turn, has used cluster munitions against Lebanon several times, in wars that lasted from 1978 to 2006 — in the last confrontation against the extremist group Hezbollah, in 2024, Lebanese authorities also pointed out strong evidence of the use of these missiles by the Israelis. Expert explains how cluster bombs work Find out more about this type of weapon and its use in conflicts: What are cluster munitions? Fragmentation munitions — also known as “cluster munition” — are weapons designed to open up in the air and release several submunitions over an extensive territory. These small bombs mainly target wide areas and can simultaneously hit soldiers, vehicles and infrastructure. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, they were first used during World War II. According to the same committee, there is still a large proportion of fragmentation munitions stored — legacies of the Cold War. Use in civilian areas is considered extremely dangerous, as many submunitions do not explode upon impact and remain active on the ground — functioning like landmines, meaning they can injure or kill civilians years after conflicts end. Iranian cluster missile explodes over Israel on March 5, 2026 Dylan Martinez/Reuters Why are they so criticized? Due to the wide dispersion and failure of part of the submunitions to detonate, cluster bombs are considered by international organizations to be one of the most lethal weapons for civilians. In 2008, more than 110 countries signed, in Dublin (Ireland), the Convention on Cluster Munitions — an international treaty that prohibits the use, development, storage and transfer of this type of weapon. The agreement establishes that signatory countries undertake to never: use cluster munitions; develop, produce, acquire or maintain this type of weapon, directly or indirectly; collaborate or encourage any action that contradicts the terms of the treaty. Neither Israel nor Iran are Iran launches cluster bombs towards Tel Aviv Military powers such as the United States, Russia and Ukraine also did not adhere to the convention and, therefore, are not legally bound by its restrictions. Brazil is also off the list of signatories. In 2017, a report by the organization Human Rights Watch denounced the use of Brazilian-made cluster bombs in attacks on schools in Yemen, carried out two years earlier by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia. At the time, Steve Goose, director of the weapons division at Human Rights Watch and president of the Coalition Against Cluster Munitions, harshly criticized the Brazilian stance. “Brazil must recognize that cluster munitions are prohibited weapons that should never be manufactured, sent or used due to the harm they cause to civilians,” he stated. He also called on both Brazil and the Saudi coalition to join the treaty. Children are especially vulnerable to cluster bombs, attracted by their toy-like appearance Legacies of War Arsenal of Israel and Iran According to the NGO Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, Israel last used cluster munitions in 2006, in fighting in southern Lebanon, against Hezbollah. The country would have continued to produce this type of weaponry until 2018. In addition to selling to other countries, the NGO believes that Israel still has large stocks of this type of weaponry in its own arsenal. It does not attest to the use of these in attacks against Lebanese territory in 2024, as denounced by Beirut. Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor says it has also been unable to independently verify Iran’s use of cluster missiles in 2025, and makes no mention of this month’s attacks. Last June, Amnesty International criticized Tehran’s use of this type of ammunition.

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