Israeli military officials say these weapons are now appearing regularly in Iranian strikes, raising serious concerns about the risks to civilians. Unlike conventional missiles that explode at a single point, cluster munitions spread multiple smaller bombs over a large area, making them far more unpredictable and destructive.

According to the Israeli military, Iran has fired around 300 ballistic missiles during the current phase of the conflict in March 2026. Nearly half of those missiles are believed to have carried cluster warheads. This marks a major shift compared with the brief 12-day conflict in June 2025, when only a small number of missiles were reported to contain such weapons.

What Are Cluster Bombs?

Cluster bombs are weapons designed to break apart in the air and scatter dozens of smaller explosives, known as submunitions, over a wide area. These smaller bombs spread across several kilometers and explode when they hit the ground.

Because they can strike many targets at once, cluster bombs are sometimes described as "wide-area weapons." They can damage military positions but are especially dangerous in cities or populated areas.

The submunitions reportedly used in Iranian missiles weigh about 2.5 kilograms or more. Each carries enough explosive power to cause significant damage. While the individual bombs are relatively small, the large number released at once makes them extremely dangerous.

More than 120 countries have banned cluster munitions under an international treaty, but both Iran and Israel have not signed the agreement.

How These Weapons Work

Cluster munitions are usually packed inside a missile or large bomb. As the missile approaches its target, the warhead opens in the air often at an altitude of about seven to ten kilometers.

Once the container bursts, dozens of small bombs scatter across a wide area before falling to the ground. They are designed to explode on impact.

Several Iranian missile systems, including Khorramshahr-4, Sejjil-2, Emad, and Ghadr, are believed to be capable of carrying cluster warheads. Some of these missiles can release between 50 and 80 submunitions in a single strike.

In many cases, these smaller bombs are not guided and simply spread out randomly. This makes them difficult to control and harder for air defense systems to intercept effectively.

Growing Use in the 2026 Conflict

Reports suggest that Iran first used cluster munitions against Israel during the June 2025 fighting. On June 19 that year, about 20 ballistic missiles were launched toward Israel, and at least one of them carried a cluster warhead.

The missile exploded above the Gush Dan area, scattering roughly 20 small bombs over an area of about eight kilometers. At that time, 89 people were injured but no deaths were reported.

The situation appears more serious in the current 2026 conflict. Israeli officials say cluster warheads are now being used more frequently. Some recent attacks have caused casualties, including at least three deaths and several injuries.

Submunitions have reportedly fallen in parts of central Israel during strikes in early March. Authorities have also warned that several unexploded bombs may still be lying on the ground.

Why Cluster Bombs Are So Dangerous

Cluster munitions remain highly controversial because of their wide impact and long-term risks. Since they scatter over a large area, they cannot distinguish between military targets and civilian locations.

Homes, roads, hospitals, and schools can all be hit during such attacks. The danger does not end after the strike either.

Many of the smaller bombs fail to explode immediately and remain on the ground as unexploded ordnance. These unexploded devices can stay dangerous for years and can injure or kill civilians long after the fighting stops.

Human rights groups and international organizations have repeatedly criticized the use of cluster weapons, arguing that they create long-lasting humanitarian problems. The increasing use of such weapons in the current conflict has once again raised concerns about the risks to civilians living in affected areas.