A previously combat-untested US-manufactured ballistic missile struck civilian facilities in southern Iran during the opening phase of recent US-Israeli military operations, according to a New York Times investigation. The Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) impacted a sports complex and elementary school in Lamerd on February 28, causing significant casualties.
Forensic analysis of the damage patterns indicates the short-range ballistic weapon functioned as designed, detonating above its targets and dispersing tungsten pellets across wide areas. Military experts consulted by the Times confirmed that verified video evidence of the explosions corresponds with the PrSM’s documented blast characteristics.
Iran’s state media reported at least 21 fatalities from the strikes, with UN representative Amir Saeid Iravani noting the sports hall was actively occupied by a girls’ volleyball team during the attack. Additional reporting described chaotic scenes as young athletes underwent training when the missile struck.
The Times investigation could not determine whether the civilian targeting resulted from intentional action, targeting error, or technical malfunction attributable to the weapon’s battlefield debut. Journalists noted the civilian nature of both structures was clearly identifiable on major digital mapping platforms.
In a related development, Pentagon investigators confirmed US responsibility for a separate strike on a girls’ school in Minab that killed 165 people, predominantly children aged 7-12. This attack employed a Tomahawk missile, though previous administration officials attempted to deflect responsibility through inaccurate claims about Iranian weapons capabilities.
The PrSM represents advanced military technology designed to replace the Army Tactical Missile System, featuring ground-launch capability and precision targeting. Conflict casualty figures provided by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies indicate approximately 1,900 deaths and 20,000 injuries in Iran since hostilities commenced.