Iran Israel war, cluster munitions, Iron Dome vulnerability

Published: 23 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The night skies over Israel have taken on a new and unsettling character in recent weeks, as streaks of light—once associated with interception success—now increasingly signal a more complex and dangerous threat. As the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, the use of cluster munitions by Tehran has introduced a new dimension to the battlefield, testing even the most advanced missile defence systems and reshaping the experience of war for civilians below.

The shift became more apparent following a symbolic and ominous message posted on social media shortly after the death of Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in late February. The post, shared via an account managed by his staff, depicted a missile soaring over a burning city alongside a cryptic reference to “Khorramshahr moments.” The message pointed to Iran’s most advanced ballistic missile, the Khorramshahr missile, believed to be capable of carrying cluster warheads that disperse dozens of smaller bomblets mid-air.

Since then, such weapons have played an increasingly prominent role in the conflict. According to Israeli military assessments, roughly half of the ballistic missiles launched from Iran since the escalation began have been equipped with cluster warheads. These weapons are designed not just to strike a single target but to spread multiple submunitions across a wide area, significantly increasing the risk to civilians and infrastructure.

The consequences have already been felt on the ground. In central Israel, a recent strike injured at least 15 people, while earlier attacks claimed lives, including elderly civilians and a foreign worker. In total, dozens have been wounded and several killed in incidents linked to these munitions, underscoring their destructive potential when used in populated areas.

What makes these weapons particularly challenging is the way they interact with Israel’s sophisticated defence systems. The country’s multi-layered network, including the widely known Iron Dome, is designed to intercept incoming threats at various altitudes and ranges. However, cluster munitions complicate this process. Even when a missile is successfully intercepted, the warhead may still fragment, releasing bomblets that continue toward the ground.

This dynamic creates a scenario in which interception does not guarantee safety. The bright trails seen in the sky—often captured in widely shared videos—can represent both successful defence and residual danger. For civilians, the visual spectacle has become a chilling symbol of uncertainty, where protection and peril coexist in the same moment.

Beyond their immediate impact, analysts suggest that Iran’s use of cluster munitions may serve a strategic purpose. By deploying weapons that require multiple interceptors to neutralise, Tehran could be attempting to strain Israel’s defence resources. Each incoming missile, especially one carrying submunitions, may require several defensive responses, gradually depleting interceptor stockpiles and increasing pressure on the system over time.

This tactic reflects a broader evolution in the conflict, where technological sophistication is matched by adaptive strategies. While Israel’s defence capabilities remain among the most advanced in the world, the current situation highlights that no system is entirely impermeable. Instead, the conflict has become a contest of resilience, where both sides seek to exploit the limitations of the other.

The use of cluster munitions has also reignited legal and ethical debates on the international stage. These weapons are widely regarded as inherently indiscriminate due to their wide-area effect and the risk of unexploded submunitions remaining on the ground. Under the Convention on Cluster Munitions, their use is banned for signatory states. However, neither Israel nor Iran is a party to the agreement, placing them outside its direct legal obligations.

Human rights organisations have been vocal in their criticism. Amnesty International has described the use of such weapons in populated areas as a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, citing both recent actions and historical precedents. The organisation has previously criticised Israel’s use of similar munitions in past conflicts, highlighting the broader and ongoing controversy surrounding these weapons.

Israeli officials, meanwhile, have condemned Iran’s actions as a war crime, particularly when targeting densely populated areas. They argue that the deliberate use of cluster munitions against civilian centres represents a clear breach of international norms, regardless of treaty participation. At the same time, Israel has acknowledged its own historical use of such weapons, maintaining that its actions have been in accordance with legal standards.

For residents in and around Tel Aviv and surrounding areas, the technical and legal debates offer little immediate comfort. What they experience is the daily reality of sirens, shelters, and the unpredictable descent of bomblets from the sky. The visual phenomenon of glowing fragments scattering across the night has become an unsettling hallmark of the conflict, a reminder that even advanced defences cannot eliminate all risk.

The psychological impact is significant. The unpredictability of cluster munitions, combined with their wide-area effect, creates a persistent sense of vulnerability. Unlike traditional missile strikes, which are often aimed at specific targets, these weapons introduce a broader zone of danger, making it harder for civilians to assess where they are safe.

As the conflict continues, the use of such tactics raises important questions about the future of warfare in the region. The interplay between offensive innovation and defensive capability is likely to remain a defining feature, with each side seeking new ways to gain an advantage.

For now, the skies above Israel tell a story of both technological prowess and its limitations. The glowing arcs of intercepted missiles and descending bomblets serve as a stark visual representation of a conflict that is as complex as it is destructive. In this evolving landscape, the balance between protection and vulnerability remains fragile, and the human cost continues to mount.