On February 28, three ballistic missiles struck the southern Iranian city of Lamerd, resulting in the deaths of at least 21 civilians, including seven children, and widespread damage to residential neighborhoods and a sports complex. According to a detailed investigation by the conflict monitor Airwars, the blasts inflicted harm as far as 50 meters from the explosion sites, with structural damage evident more than 170 meters away. The strikes represent the first reported combat use of the U.S. military’s new Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), although the Pentagon and U.S. Central Command have denied responsibility for the Lamerd incident.
The PrSM, developed by Lockheed Martin, is designed to travel over 499 kilometers, significantly farther than its predecessor, the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which has a range of about 300 kilometers. Distinct from traditional blast fragmentation warheads, the PrSM detonates above its target, releasing tens of thousands of dense tungsten pellets that spread outward at high velocity. This mechanism creates a rapidly expanding lethal sphere, capable of penetrating lightly armored targets and causing extensive damage over a wide area.
Assessment of the Lamerd strikes by Airwars, verified by the Associated Press using satellite imagery, videos, and photographs, indicates that the distinctive pellet dispersion pattern aligns with the PrSM’s design. Six arms experts, including two former military officials, confirmed that the evidence was consistent with the PrSM and found alternative explanations—such as Iranian Hoveyzeh cruise missiles or Israeli strikes—less likely. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps compound near the strike sites reportedly sustained no damage, and no military personnel or infrastructure casualties were identified, raising questions about the intended targets.
Among the civilian casualties was two-year-old Avina Barzegar, who was killed while playing outside her home approximately 50 meters from one of the missile detonations. Another missile exploded above the Shahid Naimi Sports Hall, killing seven civilians, mostly children, including three teenage girls playing volleyball. Damage consistent with the blast was observed at a school located more than 170 meters from the explosion.
The U.S. military’s official statements have emphasized that it did not launch any weapons at Lamerd during the timeframe in question and suggested that video footage might instead depict an Iranian missile. However, weapons analysts noted discrepancies in the footage compared with known Iranian missile profiles. Israel also denied involvement in strikes in Lamerd on that date.
Experts and former military officials acknowledge the PrSM’s enhanced range and military capabilities but caution against deploying it near civilian-populated areas. Michael Meier, a former U.S. Army adviser on the laws of war, indicated that justifying use of such a weapon in densely inhabited zones would be difficult. Other analysts highlighted the risk of causing harm to civilians due to the wide dispersal of the tungsten pellets, which remain lethal and capable of penetrating soft armor beyond the immediate blast site.
Despite concerns, the Pentagon has proceeded with significant investments in the PrSM program. Since the strikes, the U.S. awarded Lockheed Martin a multibillion-dollar contract to increase production. The United Kingdom and Australia have also invested substantial funds to acquire the missile system. Defense experts emphasize that while the missile offers advanced precision strike capabilities, its operational use requires careful targeting to minimize civilian casualties.