Iran’s use of cluster munitions is increasingly challenging Israel’s advanced air defense system, the Iron Dome, according to recent reports and military analysts. These weapons, delivered via long-range ballistic missiles such as the Khorramshahr missile, are capable of releasing dozens of smaller bombs mid-air, making interception significantly more difficult.
Analysts say each missile can disperse up to 80 submunitions over a wide area, complicating Israel’s ability to neutralize incoming threats. Unlike conventional warheads, these cluster payloads spread out before impact, meaning defense systems must destroy the missile before it fragments—otherwise, the smaller bomblets become nearly impossible to intercept.
Recent strikes have demonstrated the effectiveness of this tactic. According to Israeli defense sources, a number of Iranian missiles have penetrated the defense shield and hit central parts of the country, causing casualties and injuries. Reports suggest that since the escalation began in late February, multiple cluster-equipped missiles have bypassed interception systems and struck urban areas.
Military experts highlight that this strategy not only increases the likelihood of impact but also creates economic pressure. Each incoming missile may require multiple interceptor rockets, rapidly depleting Israel’s stockpile of costly defense munitions. This imbalance raises concerns about sustainability if the conflict continues.
Beyond military implications, the use of cluster munitions has drawn widespread criticism. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have condemned their deployment in populated areas, calling it a serious violation of international humanitarian law. Although a 2008 international convention bans such weapons, neither Iran nor Israel is a signatory.
Israel has described the attacks as war crimes, while also acknowledging its own past use of similar weapons, claiming compliance with international law at the time. As the conflict intensifies, the growing use of cluster munitions is likely to remain a major point of contention both militarily and diplomatically.
