Iran slams Israel with cluster bombs in retaliatory strikes

CBS News
March 18, 2026
3 min read

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Iran launched retaliatory strikes against Israel using cluster munitions, escalating regional military tensions.

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Iran launched retaliatory strikes against Israel using cluster munitions, escalating tensions after Israel said it killed two senior Iranian officials. The strikes targeted Israel and Persian Gulf states in what Iranian officials characterized as a direct response to the Israeli operation against the Iranian leadership figures. Cluster munitions—weapons that disperse multiple submunitions over a wide area—raise concerns about civilian casualties and mark a significant escalation in the regional conflict. The exchange underscores the cycle of tit-for-tat military actions between Iran and Israel, which have intensified over the past year. The strikes carry risk of broader regional involvement, particularly given the presence of U.S. military assets and allied forces across the Persian Gulf.

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