Cluster Bombs: Iran’s Latest Strike and a Lingering Global Threat | World News

Cluster bombs have long been a reason for global concern. These weapons call many small explosives on a large area – or bomber. The problem is that they don’t all explode as intended. Exploding bombers may remain active for years and pose a serious threat to civilians after a conflict ends.

Although only a few countries have used it in the war, about 75 countries are still hiding these weapons. Risk extends beyond use in war – there is also a danger of transferring to other nations or armed groups. The potential demolition scale can overcome the damage caused by black mines.

Although new designs contain security features such as self -destruction mechanisms, they have not been reliable in the real war. The human cost remains high and makes cluster ammunition one of the most controversial weapons of modern war.

Use of Iran’s latest cluster bombs

On June 19, 2025, Iran reportedly fired a ballistic missile equipped with a cluster war title and pointed to the first confirmed use of such weapons in the ongoing conflict.

According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the war title exploded over 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) from the ground and released about 20 underwater in an area of ​​8 kilometers (5 miles). A bomber hit a house in Azor and caused material damage, but caused injury.

IDF condemned the use of cluster bombs, stressed wide space effects and high risks for civilians. This incident renewed global concerns about the deployment of these controversial weapons in populated regions.

What are the cluster ammunition?

Cluster ammunition are weapons designed to release many smaller bombs in a large area. These bombers are packaged in a larger bowl that broke openly in the air and distributes problems to the target area.

Can be:

• Fell from the plane,
• Started from the artillery,
• It was fired with missiles.

Depending on the type, a cluster bomb can release dozens of 600 bomber.

Origins and use

Cluster bombs were first II. It was introduced during World War II and was widely used during the Cold War. They aimed to destroy more than one enemy target, such as vehicles or soldiers that emerged in a war area. The capabilities of covering large areas made them attractive to use them in large -scale military operations.

Why is it so dangerous?

1- Unpocited bombardment
Many bombers do not explode and become an explosive ammunition (UXO). They may remain dangerous for decades and explode if they are uncomfortable.

2- Civil damage
These unprocessed bombs usually wounds or kill civilians – especially children, farmers and returning residents. Daily activities such as farming or reconstruction become dangerous.

3- Faith
Cluster bombs are not precisely guided. Air, wind and other factors may cause them to be dispersed in an unpredictable way. When used near fast areas, they can hit homes, schools and hospitals.

4- Long-term effect
Some regions are contaminated with thousands of or even millions of exploded bomber, development, agriculture and safe resettlement for years.

How many people can’t explode?

Under real war conditions, 10% to 40% of bombers does not explode as intended. This means that each use leaves behind a significant number of fatal residues that can damage civilians after the end of the conflict.

Why do human groups want them to ban them?

Cluster bombs cause long -term, non -discriminatory damages. Even years after a war is over, it continues to affect civilians. Humanitarian aid organizations, the United Nations and many government are pressing for a global prohibition to prevent future tragedies.

GLOBAL PRODUCTION AND STOCKS

• 34 countries produced more than 210 cluster ammunition, including bombs, missiles, rockets, artillery shells and distributors.
• Most of these ammunition is now over 20 years of age, which makes them increasingly unreliable and insecure.
• At least 75 countries still maintain stocks containing millions of cluster bombs and billions of bomber.
• Even if a small part of them are used or fall into the wrong hands, human damage can be great.

Use in conflict

Despite widespread property, less than 15 countries actually used cluster ammunition in active conflicts. Sometimes he used non-state armed groups-milis or rebels.

Do new technologies help?

Some modern cluster ammunition were built with self -destruction mechanisms aiming to reduce the number of exploded bombers. Although these features perform better in laboratory tests, it is not proven that it was not reliable in the real war. Many bombers still don’t detonate, they leave behind dangerous UXO.

Progress Symptoms

There is some hope. At least four countries that once produced cluster bombs have completely stopped production through national laws or policy changes. These are early steps towards a broader international consensus against their use.

Why is technology alone not enough

No technical upgrade has eliminated the human dangers revealed by cluster ammunition. Design improvements in controlled settings do not always turn into reliability in the real world. Experts agree: Technical corrections alone cannot solve the problem.

The only real solution

Cluster bombs are outdated, dangerous and unpredictable in modern war. Even the newest models are left behind the deadly explosives that have threatened civil lives for years.

The only safe and humane solution is clear:
Stop producing, using and spreading these weapons.
We can only protect future generations from this ongoing threat through global cooperation and strong international laws.

(Girish Linganna is an award -winning scientific communication and a defense, aviation and geopolitical analyst. Add Engineering GmbH is the General Manager of India Pvt Ltd.)