In a new report published by Amnesty International, Iran violated international humanitarian law by using cluster bomb warheads on their ballistic missiles during the war with Israel.
Iran’s use of cluster bombs during the Israel-Iran War violated international humanitarian law, Amnesty International stated in a new report published Thursday morning.
The Israel-Iran War began early on the morning of Friday, June 13, and lasted nearly two weeks.
While Israel primarily struck military targets, Iran indiscriminately targeted Israeli citizens, launching hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones with deadly intent, including the use of cluster bomb warheads, which are outlawed in over 100 countries.
The Convention on Cluster Munitions, which entered into force on August 1, 2010, is an international treaty that prohibits the use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster bombs.
Cluster bombs, or cluster munitions, are designed as containers that are meant to release dozens or hundreds of smaller explosives that carry around two kilograms of explosives, known as “bomblets,” over a wider area.
Neither Israel nor Iran is a party to the convention.
Home destroyed by Iranian ballistic missile in Beersheba, June 20, 2025. (credit: ISRAEL POLICE)
Iran’s use of cluster munitions
Evidence of Iran’s use of these warheads was found by IDF technicians on June 19, as well as on Friday, June 18, following the missile strike that hit Beersheba.
Amnesty International has confirmed the findings and condemned Iran’s use of these weapons, a rare step in Israel’s favor from the organization.
“Cluster munitions are inherently indiscriminate weapons that must never be used,” said Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns. “Iranian forces’ deliberate use of such inherently indiscriminate weapons is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.”
Amnesty International sent questions to Iranian authorities regarding their use of cluster bombs against Israel on July 15, but has yet to receive a response.
Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.