Israel has accused Iran of using cluster munitions in missile attacks during the ongoing conflict, saying some Iranian ballistic missiles carry warheads that disperse multiple smaller explosives over a wide area. Israeli officials claim that roughly half of the missiles fired by Iran have contained cluster warheads, a tactic that could increase casualties and complicate air defence interception.

Cluster munitions are weapons designed to release many smaller submunitions, often called “bomblets,” over a large area. Instead of a single explosion, the main bomb or missile opens in mid-air and scatters dozens or even hundreds of smaller explosives that detonate on impact. In some cases reported in the current conflict, the warheads may contain around 20–24 bomblets, each capable of causing damage independently.

These weapons are controversial because they spread explosives across wide areas, making them difficult to control and potentially dangerous to civilians. Many bomblets fail to explode immediately and remain on the ground as unexploded ordnance, posing risks long after the attack ends.

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International efforts to limit the weapon led to the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans their use, production, transfer and stockpiling for countries that sign the treaty. More than 100 states have joined the convention, which also requires the cleanup of contaminated areas and assistance for victims. However, not all countries are signatories, and the treaty’s rules apply only to those that ratify it.

Cluster munitions have been used in several past conflicts, including wars in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, and their use continues to spark legal and humanitarian debate. Human rights groups argue that their indiscriminate impact in populated areas can violate international humanitarian law principles requiring combatants to distinguish between military and civilian targets.

The accusations from Israel mark another escalation in the ongoing conflict with Iran, as both sides trade missile strikes and military threats. Analysts warn that the reported use of cluster munitions could further intensify scrutiny of the war and raise concerns about civilian safety in affected areas.

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