US Precision Strike Missile linked to civilian deaths in Iran's Lamerd
An analysis by Airwars suggests that US-made Precision Strike Missiles detonated over Lamerd on Feb. 28 killed at least 21 civilians, including seven children, and caused damage far beyond the blast points.
Airwars, a nonprofit monitoring civilian casualties, examined open-source footage, satellite imagery and Iranian reports of three missile strikes on Lamerd on Feb. 28. Their mapping shows explosions above a sports hall and two neighborhoods, with lethal effects reaching 50 meters and damage spreading over three times that radius. Iranian officials reported at least 21 civilian deaths, including seven children, but no military personnel or infrastructure were confirmed harmed.
Experts consulted said the blast pattern aligns with Lockheed Martin’s Precision Strike Missile, which releases tens of thousands of dense tungsten pellets upon mid-air detonation. The US has confirmed using the missiles in Iran but denies any launch into Lamerd, and an IRGC compound nearby showed no damage. Analysts warned that employing such weapons near populated areas carries a high risk of civilian harm.
Why it matters
The report raises concerns about civilian safety when using new US missiles in densely populated regions.
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