Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates with Cluster Munition Missile Launch

On June 19, Israeli military forces and the Israeli Embassy in Washington reported that Iran launched a missile dispersing cluster munitions with the intent to harm civilians. This marked the first documented use of cluster munitions in the conflict between Iran and Israel.

“The Iranian armed forces fired a missile containing cluster submunitions at a densely populated civilian area in Israel.”

Recall that on June 13, the Israel Defense Forces launched an air operation aimed at destroying Iran’s nuclear program. The Israeli Air Force struck numerous targets within Iran, including facilities related to uranium enrichment and other military installations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the goal of this operation is “to strike Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, its ballistic missile factories, and military capabilities.” He also stated that the operation will continue until all objectives are fully achieved.

As a result of the Israeli attack, high-ranking Iranian officials were killed, including the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami, and the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Mohammad Bagheri, according to Iran’s state news agency.

Following this, several countries closed their airspace, and the IAEA expressed concern over attacks on nuclear facilities. Iran, in turn, assured that its nuclear sites did not suffer significant damage during the Israeli strikes.

In response to Israel’s attacks, Iran launched over 100 drones toward Israeli territory. Subsequently, on June 13 and 14, Israel carried out new airstrikes on Iranian cities housing key defense facilities and military bases.

At an emergency UN Security Council meeting on June 13, Iran accused the United States of involvement in the Israeli attacks on its territory. Washington denied these allegations and called on Tehran to engage in negotiations regarding its nuclear program.