PrSM missile strikes iran lsmerd reportly killed at least at 21 civilians, including seven children, while debris and blast effects reaches areas far from the impact sites

PrSM missile Used in Iran Strike: Civilians Killed 50 Metres From Blast

The United States used its Precision Strike Missile, or PrSM, in combat for the first time during its strikes against Iran on February 28. The US military considers the weapon one of its most advanced long-range systems. It combines high speed, long range, and precision.

However, a recent investigation has raised serious concerns about civilian casualties linked to the strikes. Three missiles hit the Iranian city of Lamerd on February 28.

Airwars reviewed the attacks and reported that at least 21 civilians died. Seven of the victims were children. The investigation also found signs of damage outside the areas where the missiles exploded.

What Happened in Lamerd?

Three missiles struck different parts of Lamerd on February 28. The strikes hit areas near a sports complex and residential neighborhoods.

Airwars examined photos, videos, and satellite images from the city. The evidence showed heavy damage around the strike locations. Buildings, roads, and vehicles had many small impact marks.

Weapons experts said the damage pattern could match the effects of a PrSM missile.

The damage did not stop at the immediate blast sites. Airwars found that the explosions affected areas farther away. Some civilians died as far as 50 metres from one of the blast locations.

A school also suffered damage. The school stood around 170 metres from the Shahid Naimi Sports Hall. Airwars reported that seven civilians, including children, died in connection with that strike.

Another strike hit the Tal-e Khandagh neighborhood. The attack killed two-year-old Avina Barzegar, according to Airwars.

The child was reportedly playing outside her home when the explosion occurred. Airwars said a fragment travelled around 50 metres from the blast site and struck the girl.

Why Is the PrSM Missile Under Question?

The PrSM is a long-range precision-guided missile. The US military has invested billions of dollars in the programme. Lockheed Martin produces the missile as part of the US effort to develop newer precision strike weapons.

The missile’s accuracy remains one of its key features. However, accuracy does not mean that people outside the intended target area face no danger.

Explosions can send fragments and debris well beyond the main impact point. Blast pressure can also damage nearby buildings and vehicles.

Michael Meier, a former US Army adviser on the laws of war, questioned the use of the weapon in a densely populated area.

The damage in Lamerd has added to those concerns. Airwars found evidence that fragments and blast effects reached areas outside the immediate strike locations.

Six weapons experts spoke to the Associated Press about the evidence. Two of those experts previously worked as defence officials. They said the available evidence appeared consistent with the use of a PrSM.

Who Carried Out the Lamerd Strikes?

The evidence has not settled the question of responsibility for the Lamerd strikes.

US Central Command released an image on March 1. Weapons experts identified the missile in the image as a PrSM. The image showed the weapon launching during the Iran operation.

Three days later, US Central Command confirmed that US forces had used the PrSM in combat for the first time. However, the command did not say where the military used the missile.

AP later asked US Central Command about the Lamerd strikes. The command denied responsibility for the attack. It said its response relied on an earlier understanding of what happened in Lamerd.

Weapons experts also examined security camera footage from the city. They said the missile visible in the footage did not appear to match the Iranian missile model previously suspected in connection with the attack.

Israel also denied carrying out strikes as far south in Iran as Lamerd on the first day of the conflict, according to AP.

Lockheed Martin has not commented on the reported use of the PrSM in Lamerd. The company also has not commented on the reported civilian deaths.

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US Expands PrSM Production

The Lamerd controversy comes as the United States continues to expand its PrSM programme.

After the Lamerd strikes, the US Department of Defense signed a contract worth more than $4 billion with Lockheed Martin. The deal will increase PrSM production.

The contract could significantly increase the number of missiles available to the US military.

That development makes the questions surrounding Lamerd even more important. The US plans to produce more of the weapon while experts continue to examine its effects around civilian areas.

The PrSM aims to hit targets with high precision. But the effects of an explosion can extend beyond the intended target.

This becomes especially important when military operations take place near homes, schools, sports facilities, or other civilian locations.

Modern weapons can deliver remarkable accuracy. Yet accuracy alone cannot eliminate every risk to people nearby.

A Serious Question About Civilian Safety

The Lamerd case raises a much bigger question about modern warfare.

Military forces often use precision weapons to hit specific targets. But civilian communities can still suffer when those targets sit close to homes and public facilities.

If Airwars’ findings about the PrSM prove correct, the Lamerd strikes would highlight a serious problem. A precision weapon can still cause deaths and injuries outside its intended target area.

For families who lost loved ones, the debate is not simply about missile technology. It is about whether military forces took every reasonable step to protect civilians before launching the attack.

The reported deaths of seven children make the issue even more serious. Civilian protection remains a central concern under the laws of war.

As the United States expands its PrSM arsenal, questions about civilian safety, accountability, and the lawful use of force will become even more important.

The true measure of an advanced weapon should not only be its ability to hit a target accurately. It should also be the ability to prevent unnecessary civilian deaths when that weapon is used.

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According to a report by NDTV, the PrSM missile was used for the first time in combat during the February 28 strikes on Iran. The report cited findings from the Associated Press, Airwars and defence experts regarding the Lamerd attacks.