Airwars Report Links US Precision Strike Missiles to Iranian Civilian Deaths

A report from the conflict monitor Airwars indicates that the United States used Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) during February 28 strikes on Lamerd, Iran, resulting in the deaths of at least 21 civilians, including seven children. The report states that the Lockheed Martin-manufactured missiles use tungsten pellets that spray over a wide area, killing civilians up to 50 meters from blast sites and causing damage three times further.

United States Central Command confirmed the first combat use of PrSMs in Iran but denies attacking Lamerd. The command suggested an Iranian Hoveyzeh cruise missile caused the casualties. However, weapons experts cited by Airwars dispute this claim, stating that Israeli or Iranian weapons were unlikely to have been used in the attack.

Commander Brad Cooper told Congress that the military is investigating only one case of U.S. fire killing civilians, specifically a strike on a school in Minab. Despite the Airwars findings, the Pentagon has signed a $4 billion contract to quadruple PrSM production, with the United Kingdom and Australia also investing in the system.