Key facts
- Three missiles believed to be U.S.-made PrSMs struck Lamerd, Iran, on Feb. 28, killing at least 21 civilians.
- The PrSM is designed to explode mid-air and disperse tens of thousands of metal pellets over a wide area.
- Damage and civilian casualties extended up to 50 meters from the missile detonations, according to Airwars.
- U.S. Central Command denies responsibility for the Lamerd strikes and stated U.S. forces do not target civilians.
- Weapons experts advised against using the PrSM near populated areas due to its wide pellet dispersal.
A report by the conflict monitor Airwars suggests that the U.S. military's Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) may have been used in an attack on Lamerd, Iran, on February 28, resulting in civilian casualties. The report, based on analysis of photos, videos, and satellite images, indicates that the missile's pellets dispersed over a wide area, causing damage and killing civilians up to 50 meters from the detonation sites. At least 21 civilians, including seven children, were reportedly killed in the strikes, which hit a sports complex and residential neighborhoods.
Lockheed Martin touts the PrSM as a lethal, long-range ballistic missile designed to replace older systems. Unlike its predecessor, the ATACMS, the PrSM is designed to explode mid-air and propel tens of thousands of dense metal pellets in all directions, making it extremely lethal. Experts interviewed by The Associated Press believe PrSMs struck Lamerd, noting that the damage patterns are consistent with the weapon's capabilities. They also stated that using such a weapon near civilian areas is unlikely to be justifiable.
U.S. Central Command has confirmed the use of PrSMs in Iran as a 'historic first' but denied responsibility for the strikes in Lamerd. A spokesperson stated that U.S. forces did not launch weapons into Lamerd on that date and do not target civilians, suggesting footage of one strike indicated an Iranian Hoveyzeh cruise missile. However, weapons experts countered that the missile seen in the footage did not match the Iranian model. The Israeli military also stated it did not conduct strikes as far south as Lamerd. U.S. Central Command reiterated its denial, citing an earlier review of the incident.