War in the Mideast: Iranian cluster ballistic missiles test Israel’s defences

Iran has tested cluster ballistic missiles against Israel, escalating the regional conflict into a new and more dangerous phase. Unlike conventional ballistic missiles with single warheads, these weapons disperse hundreds of submunitions ("bomblets") across wide areas, leaving civilian neighborhoods contaminated with unexploded ordnance long after attacks. While Israel's air defense systems have proven effective in previous confrontations, cluster munitions present a distinct challenge because their dispersal pattern makes interception more difficult and causes widespread civilian harm. Cluster munitions are banned under international law, and their deployment signals an intensification of the conflict between the two regional powers. The shift represents a significant test of Israel's defensive capabilities and raises immediate humanitarian concerns for populated areas in Israel's path.