New details have emerged regarding the US‑Israeli strike on an elementary school in Lamerd, Iran, which killed several people on the first day of the war with Iran. Reports indicate that a newly developed ballistic missile, which completed prototype testing only last year, may have been used in the attack.
The February 28 strike coincided with a US Tomahawk missile attack on a school in Minab, several hundred kilometres away, which reportedly killed 175 people.
According to a New York Times report, the explosions and damage at the Lamerd elementary school and the nearby sports hall are consistent with a short-range ballistic missile known as the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM). The weapon had never been used in combat before this strike.
Local officials cited by Iranian media said the attacks in Lamerd and surrounding areas killed at least 21 people.
About the PrSM missile
The Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is a US-made short-range ballistic missile designed to detonate above its target, dispersing small tungsten pellets outward. Developed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the weapon was initially part of a competition with Raytheon to replace the aging Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), but Lockheed Martin became the sole developer after Raytheon withdrew in early 2020.
The PrSM completed prototype testing last year, and the Lamerd strike marked its first known use in combat conditions. Because the missile is so new, it is difficult to determine whether the Lamerd strike was intentional, the result of a design or manufacturing flaw, or due to improper target selection.
Why analysts suspect PrSM was used
The NYT report cited videos capturing one of the strikes in a residential area about 275 metres from the school. The missile shown had a distinctive silhouette matching the PrSM and erupted mid-air in a large fireball. While another video from near the school did not show the missile itself, the explosion occurred just above the building. Photos from the aftermath show both sites pockmarked with holes, likely caused by the tungsten pellets.
US military confirms PrSM use in Iran war
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the use of PrSM in the Iran conflict, posting a video on March 1 showing a launch during the first 24 hours of the war. CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper later stated that the PrSM had been used in combat for the first time. However, it has not been officially confirmed whether the missile was used specifically in the Lamerd strikes. (Agency)
