In brief
Israel's military asserts that an Iranian missile strike targeted populated areas in central Israel, marking a troubling development in ongoing hostilities between the two nations.
June 19, 2025, 7:25 p.m. ET – The Israeli Defense Forces announced that Iran launched a missile equipped with cluster munitions towards central Israel, specifically striking Or Yehuda and adjacent regions. This incident, characterized by military spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani as the first use of such munitions in the current conflict, may heighten tensions significantly.The Iranian mission to the United Nations has yet to respond to these allegations. Fortunately, there were no fatalities or injuries reported from the missile or the resulting cluster bomblets. Cluster munitions, which scatter smaller explosive devices upon impact, are notorious for their potential to indiscriminately harm civilians. While over 100 nations, including many major powers, have ratified a treaty to ban them since 2008, both Israel and Iran continue to refrain from signing.Furthermore, verified footage and images from The New York Times reveal an unexploded bomblet on the balcony of a residential building in Or Yehuda, coinciding with the missile attack. Experts indicate that the device resembles the submunitions used in some of Iran's ballistic missiles since 2014, as highlighted by Fabian Hinz of the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Hinz elaborated on the tactical use of such munitions, stating that while they may lack precision, their broad impact may still successfully target softer military installations, like air defense systems, where accuracy is less critical. The ongoing conflict and the implications of employing such dangerous munitions raise serious concerns for civilian safety and international law.
