Cluster-munition warhead

Cluster-munition warheads are missile payloads that open in flight and disperse multiple submunitions over a wide area instead of delivering a single unitary blast. In the Israel-Iran Conflict, Israeli reporting described Iranian ballistic missiles using cluster-munition warheads, making the payload a notable example of area-effect strike equipment in the 2025 exchange.

Israel-Iran ConflictIran

Conflict side: Iran
Built by: Iranian missile forces
Built in: Iran

Cluster-munition warhead, Ballistic-missile cluster warhead, Munitions

Image source: Commons B-1B Lancer and cluster bombs

Profile

Type: Ballistic-missile cluster warhead
Conflict side: Iran
Origin: Iran
Service note: 2025-present direct Israel-Iran conflict use

cluster munition strikemissile payload

Service History

In service: Observed on Iranian ballistic missiles reported in June 2025 and later Israel-Iran exchanges
Used by: Iran
Wars: Israel-Iran Conflict

Production History

Designed: Preexisting cluster-warhead concept adapted for Iranian ballistic missiles
Built by: Iranian missile forces
Built in: Iran
Variants: Cluster-bomb warhead, Fragmenting submunition warhead

Specifications

Payload effect: Warhead opens in the air and disperses dozens of submunitions
Dispersion altitude: Reported to open at high altitude before submunition release
Area effect: Submunitions can spread across several hundred meters to several kilometers
Typical submunition size: Reported bomblets can weigh less than 3 kilograms each

Conflict Usage

Israel-Iran Conflict: Side: IranRole: Ballistic-missile area-effect payloadstrike
During the Israel-Iran Conflict, Israel said Iran fired ballistic missiles with cluster-munition warheads that burst at altitude and scattered submunitions over a wide area.

Cluster-munition warhead Images

Cluster-munition warhead, Ballistic-missile cluster warhead, Munitions - view 1 — Source: Commons B-1B Lancer and cluster bombs

Cluster-munition warhead, Ballistic-missile cluster warhead, Munitions - view 2 — Source: Commons IMI Runway Attack Munition

Cluster-munition warhead, Ballistic-missile cluster warhead, Munitions - view 3 — Source: Commons ShOAB-0.5 cluster bomblet

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Sources

Israel says Iran is using cluster munitions. What to know about the weaponsPublisher: Associated Press | Note: Supports Israel-Iran Conflict direct use: Israel said Iran fired missiles with cluster-munition warheads during the Israel-Iran Conflict, and the report explains the warhead's altitude burst and wide-area submunition effect. | Accessed: 2026-06-22 AP June 19, 2025 Iran-Israel attacks reportPublisher: Associated Press | Note: Supports Israel-Iran Conflict direct use: AP reported that Israel's Home Front Command said one Iranian ballistic missile fired during the Israel-Iran Conflict was rigged with fragmenting cluster munitions. | Accessed: 2026-06-22 Commons B-1B Lancer and cluster bombsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain status for the B-1B cluster-munitions image. | Accessed: 2026-06-22 Commons IMI Runway Attack MunitionPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and CC BY-SA licensing for an Israeli cluster-bomb image that illustrates cluster-warhead function. | Accessed: 2026-06-22 Commons ShOAB-0.5 cluster bombletPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and CC BY 4.0 licensing for a cluster bomblet image showing the submunition effect. | Accessed: 2026-06-22