Latest news with #IranianArmedForces
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Iran fires cluster bombs at Israel as conflict enters 8th day: Death toll mounts, no diplomatic breakthrough
Iran launched a missile carrying cluster submunitions into central Israel on Thursday, in what Israeli officials say marks the first use of such weapons in the eight-days at war. The Iranian missile reportedly scattered dozens of bomblets over civilian areas to maximise the chance of damage inflicted on the enemy side. "Today, the Iranian Armed Forces fired a missile that contained cluster submunitions at a densely populated civilian area in Israel," the Israeli embassy in Washington said in a statement to Reuters. The attack came amid a fresh wave of missile exchanges between Iran and Israel on Friday. According to Israeli media reports, the missile's warhead detonated at an altitude of around 7 kilometers, releasing approximately 20 submunitions over a radius of 8 kilometers in central Israel. Iranian officials have not commented on the allegations. Follow Israel Iran war live. Israeli authorities said on Thursday that the body of a woman was recovered from a building hit by an Iranian missile four days earlier, raising Israel's death toll to 25 since the war began, according to AFP. Iran, meanwhile, has reported at least 224 deaths from Israeli strikes as of Sunday. The killed individuals include top military officials, nuclear scientists, and civilians. However, Tehran has not given an updates figure since. European diplomats convened in Geneva with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday in a last-ditch effort to prevent further escalation. Foreign ministers from France, Germany, the UK, and the EU urged restraint and diplomacy. British foreign secretary David Lammy emphasised the urgency, saying the coming two weeks represent 'a window... to achieve a diplomatic solution.' The UN Security Council is also expected to hold a second emergency session on the conflict, following a request from Iran backed by Russia, China, and Pakistan, diplomats confirmed. Back in Washington, President Donald Trump, said he would decide 'within the next two weeks' whether to back Israeli military action. 'There is still a substantial chance of a negotiated end to this,' Trump was quoted by AFP, as saying. The Wall Street Journal reported that while he has approved strike plans, he is waiting to see whether Iran shows willingness to abandon its nuclear ambitions. Meanwhile, Russia warned that any American involvement 'would be an extremely dangerous step.' Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq also threatened retaliation. Satellite imagery on Thursday revealed that several US military aircraft had been relocated from a base in Qatar. Iran, still reeling from last week's loss of senior officials, has appointed Brigadier General Majid Khadami as the new head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards' intelligence division, the state-run IRNA reported on Thursday. He replaces Mohammed Kazemi, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike that also claimed the lives of commanders Hassan Mohaghegh and Mohsen Bagheri. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tehran would pay a 'heavy price' after Iran's missile barrage hit Soroka Hospital in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba. The 1000-bed hospital's director Shlomi Codish said 40 people were injured, and the facility was left in flames. However, Tehran claimed the hospital was not the intended target; instead, it said the nearby military and intelligence base was the primary objective. This came as the Israeli military announced overnight strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, including an 'inactive nuclear reactor' in Arak and the uranium enrichment facility in Natanz. A military spokesperson said the operation aimed to 'prevent the reactor from being restored.' (With AFP, Reuters, AP inputs)
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
9 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
What are cluster munitions that Iran used against Israel? What makes them so dangerous?
On Thursday, Iran launched a ballistic missile at Israel carrying a warhead that dispersed roughly 20 cluster submunitions over an eight-kilometre radius in central Israel. The warhead split mid-air at an altitude of seven kilometres. While one bomblet struck a home in Azor, many failed to explode. Israel and Iran are not signatories to the 2008 ban on such weapons read more A Ukrainian military serviceman holds a defused cluster bomb from an MSLR missile that did not explode on impact, in the region of Kharkiv, Ukraine, October 21, 2022. File Image/Reuters On Thursday, Iran fired a missile at Israel that dispersed multiple small explosive devices intended to inflict greater harm on civilians, according to the Israeli military and its embassy in Washington. This marks the first known use of cluster munitions in the ongoing week-long conflict. 'Today, the Iranian Armed Forces fired a missile that contained cluster submunitions at a densely populated civilian area in Israel,' the embassy said in an email to Reuters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Cluster weapons are designed to disperse over a large area and maximize the chances of a harmful strike,' the email continued. 'Iran unlawfully fired deliberately at civilian population centers, and seeks to maximise the damage to civilians in them by using wide-dispersal munitions.' What are cluster munitions? Cluster munitions are explosive weapons designed to disperse smaller submunitions — often referred to as 'bomblets' — over a wide area. These submunitions, which weigh less than 20 kilogrammes each, are released mid-air from a central dispenser or container, and descend unguided toward the ground. Each submunition is intended to explode on impact, causing widespread damage to personnel, vehicles and soft targets spread across several hundred meters. They are deployed through various delivery systems, including artillery shells, missiles, rockets and air-dropped bombs. A typical artillery shell may carry dozens of submunitions, while a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) rocket can carry hundreds. For instance, the M26A1/A2 variant of the MLRS rocket contains 518 bomblets, while the M864 variant of a 155mm artillery shell carries 76. The United States had produced all three types — air-delivered, artillery and rocket-launched — but stopped producing them in 2008 and has gradually converted its stockpiles to comply with international conventions. Nonetheless, these weapons were once the US standard during the Cold War and remained in stockpiles for decades. The most advanced US submunition, the M77, has dual-purpose capabilities — penetration for vehicle targets and fragmentation for personnel. Unlike a 'unitary' warhead, which detonates in a single powerful blast, cluster munitions are designed for wide-area impact, increasing the chance of hitting multiple targets but also dramatically increasing the risk to civilians and non-combatants. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How did Iran deploy cluster munitions in Israel? On Thursday, Iran launched a ballistic missile at Israel equipped with a warhead containing cluster submunitions, in what the Israeli Defense Forces described as the first such usage since the beginning of the recent hostilities. The warhead reportedly split at an altitude of around 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) above ground and dispersed approximately 20 submunitions across an estimated 8-kilometre (5-mile) radius. The small bomblets do not possess any propulsion or guidance system of their own. They simply fall to the ground and are designed to detonate upon impact. However, in this case, many reportedly did not explode. One submunition did hit a home in the town of Azor, causing structural damage. The Times of Israel reported that the damage was equivalent to that of a small rocket, as each of the bomblets carried an explosive charge of approximately 2.5 kilogrammes. While no injuries were reported from the attack, the presence of unexploded ordnance raised alarms. The IDF Home Front Command said sappers located and disposed of at least 20 unexploded bomblets but warned the public not to approach missile remnants, which could act as de facto landmines. Brigadier General Effie Defrin of the Israeli military noted, 'The terror regime seeks to harm civilians and even used weapons with wide dispersal in order to maximise the scope of the damage.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why are cluster munitions considered dangerous? Cluster munitions are highly controversial due to their indiscriminate nature and the enduring danger posed by unexploded submunitions. The explosive bomblets, when deployed over a wide area, cannot distinguish between military targets and civilians. This makes their use in populated regions particularly devastating. Humanitarian concerns primarily focus on the dud rate — the proportion of submunitions that fail to explode as intended. These unexploded devices can remain hidden for years, causing injuries or fatalities long after active hostilities have ceased. Estimates of dud rates vary widely, from as low as 2 per cent to as high as 40 per cent, with US-made munitions generally performing better and Russian versions often exhibiting higher failure rates. 'They are egregious weapons with their wide-area destruction, especially if used in a civilian populated area and could add to the unexploded ordnance left over from conflicts," said Daryl Kimball, Executive Director of the Arms Control Association. He added that Iranian missiles tend to be imprecise, making it even more likely that such munitions will hit civilians rather than military targets. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, signed by 112 countries and 12 observer entities, explicitly prohibits the use, development, production, acquisition, stockpiling or transfer of cluster munitions. The text of the convention states that these weapons 'kill or maim civilians, including women and children, obstruct economic and social development… impede post-conflict rehabilitation and reconstruction (and) delay or prevent the return of refugees and internally displaced persons… for many years after use.' However, Iran, Israel, Russia, Ukraine and the United States have not joined the treaty. While the US halted production in 2008 and converted many stockpiles, it has maintained the right to deploy such munitions in certain conflict scenarios. In 2023, after prolonged debate, the US transferred cluster artillery shells to Ukraine for use against Russian forces, as Kyiv accused Moscow of deploying similar weapons in the ongoing conflict. Could Iran have MIRV capability? In the aftermath of the missile strike, Israeli military technicians began recovering dozens of unexploded canisters and are now investigating whether Iran's missile technology may include true MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle) capability. While MIRVs differ from cluster munitions, they also deploy multiple warheads from a single missile. However, each warhead in a MIRV system is capable of being directed at separate, distinct targets and is guided, unlike the bomblets in a cluster bomb which are unguided. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While no official confirmation has been made regarding MIRV usage, the inquiry highlights increasing concern over Iran's missile technology and whether its capabilities may be more advanced or diversified than previously assessed. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies
AsiaOne
14 hours ago
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Israel says Iran fired cluster bomb-bearing missile, World News
Iran launched a missile at Israel on Thursday (June 19) that scattered small bombs with the aim of increasing civilian casualties, the Israeli military and its Washington embassy said, the first reported use of cluster munitions in the seven-day-old war. "Today, the Iranian Armed Forces fired a missile that contained cluster submunitions at a densely populated civilian area in Israel," the embassy said in an email to Reuters that did not identify the area. "Cluster weapons are designed to disperse over a large area and maximise the chances of a harmful strike," the email continued. "Iran unlawfully fired deliberately at civilian population centres, and seeks to maximise the damage to civilians in them by using wide-dispersal munitions." Iran's mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israeli news reports quoted the Israeli military as saying the missile's warhead split open at an altitude of about 4 miles (7 km) and released around 20 submunitions in a radius of around 5 miles (8km) over central Israel. One of the small munitions struck a home in the central Israeli town of Azor, causing some damage, Times of Israel military correspondent Emanuel Fabian reported. There were no reports of casualties from the bomb. Cluster bombs are controversial because they indiscriminately scatter submunitions, some of which can fail to explode and kill or injure long after a conflict ends. The Israeli military released a graphic as a public warning of the dangers of unexploded ordnance. "The terror regime seeks to harm civilians and even used weapons with wide dispersal in order to maximise the scope of the damage," Israel's military spokesperson, Brigadier General Effie Defrin, told a briefing. Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association advocacy group, said, "They are egregious weapons with their wide-area destruction, especially if used in a civilian populated area and could add to the unexploded ordnance left over from conflicts." Noting that Iranian missiles can be imprecise, he said that Tehran should know that cluster munitions "are going to hit civilian targets rather than military targets." Iran and Israel declined to join a 2008 international ban on the production, stockpiling, transfer and use of cluster bombs that has been signed by 111 countries and 12 other entities. After extensive debate, the US in 2023 supplied Ukraine with cluster munitions for use against Russian occupation forces. Kyiv says Russian troops also have fired them. The three countries declined to join the Convention Against Cluster Munitions. [[nid:719285]]
New Straits Times
15 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Israel accuses Iran of using cluster bombs in latest strike
TEL AVIV: Iran launched a missile at Israel on Thursday that scattered small bombs with the aim of increasing civilian casualties, the Israeli military and its Washington embassy said, the first reported use of cluster munitions in the seven-day-old war. "Today, the Iranian Armed Forces fired a missile that contained cluster submunitions at a densely populated civilian area in Israel," the embassy said in an email to Reuters that did not identify the area. "Cluster weapons are designed to disperse over a large area and maximise the chances of a harmful strike," the email continued. "Iran unlawfully fired deliberately at civilian population centres, and seeks to maximise the damage to civilians in them by using wide-dispersal munitions." Iran's mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israeli news reports quoted the Israeli military as saying the missile's warhead split open at an altitude of about 4 miles (7km) and released around 20 submunitions in a radius of around 5 miles (8km) over central Israel. One of the small munitions struck a home in the central Israeli town of Azor, causing some damage, Times of Israel military correspondent Emanuel Fabian reported. There were no reports of casualties from the bomb. Cluster bombs are controversial because they indiscriminately scatter submunitions, some of which can fail to explode and kill or injure long after a conflict ends. The Israeli military released a graphic as a public warning of the dangers of unexploded ordnance. "The regime seeks to harm civilians and even used weapons with wide dispersal in order to maximise the scope of the damage," Israel's military spokesperson, Brigadier General Effie Defrin, told a briefing. Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association advocacy group, said, "They are egregious weapons with their wide-area destruction, especially if used in a civilian populated area and could add to the unexploded ordnance left over from conflicts." Noting that Iranian missiles can be imprecise, he said that Tehran should know that cluster munitions "are going to hit civilian targets rather than military targets." Iran and Israel declined to join a 2008 international ban on the production, stockpiling, transfer and use of cluster bombs that has been signed by 111 countries and 12 other entities. After extensive debate, the US in 2023 supplied Ukraine with cluster munitions for use against Russian occupation forces. Kyiv says Russian troops also have fired them. The three countries declined to join the Convention Against Cluster Munitions. --REUTERS
Mint
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Iran uses cluster bombs in missile strike, aiming to maximise civilian harm, says Israel: Why are they controversial?
Israel accused Iran of launching a missile at Tel Aviv armed with cluster munitions – marking the first reported use of such weapons since the conflict between the two countries started seven days ago. According to the Israeli military and its embassy in Washington, the missile scattered small bomblets designed to increase civilian casualties. According to the Reuters, the embassy said, 'Today, the Iranian Armed Forces fired a missile that contained cluster submunitions at a densely populated civilian area in Israel.' It further explained that cluster bombs are designed to spread over an area to maximise the chances of more casualties during a conflict. 'Cluster weapons are designed to disperse over a large area and maximize the chances of a harmful strike,' the email to Reuters mentioned. 'Iran unlawfully fired deliberately at civilian population centers, and seeks to maximize the damage to civilians in them by using wide-dispersal munitions.' According to Israel, the Iranin missile carrying cluster bombs split open at an altitude of about 7 km and released around 20 submunitions in a radius of around 8 km over central Israel. While there have been no reports of any casualty so far, the first reported use of cluster bombs are sure to raise some eyebrows in the international community. Cluster bombs are controversial because they release multiple submunitions over a wide area, often hitting unintended targets. These bombs don't have any steering. They just fall to the ground and are meant to explode when they hit. While they are designed to cover a wide area, each cluster bomb has a much smaller explosion on its own. Some fail to detonate on impact, posing deadly risks long after the fighting is over. The Israeli military has said that many of the cluster bombs have not detonated. The Israeli military released a graphic as a public warning of the dangers of unexploded ordnance. 'The terror regime seeks to harm civilians and even used weapons with wide dispersal in order to maximize the scope of the damage,' Israel's military spokesperson, Brigadier General Effie Defrin, told a briefing. Iran and Israel declined to join a 2008 international ban on the production, stockpiling, transfer and use of cluster bombs that has been signed by 111 countries and 12 other entities. After multiple efforts to bring Iran to the negotiating table, US President Donald Trump has disclosed whether the United States would launch a direct attack on Iran, despite Tehran's stern warning for Washington to stay out of the conflict. Donald Trump said he would decide in two weeks whether the US military would be a part of the conflict and Iran given the 'substantial chance' for renewed diplomatic negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program.
