Iran has launched a series of missile attacks armed with cluster warheads on central Israel, including Tel Aviv, in apparent retaliation for the assassination of Iranian security chief Ali Larijani. The strikes, confirmed by Iranian state media on Wednesday, represent a significant escalation in the ongoing Israel–Iran conflict.
The attacks follow a series of Israeli operations targeting Iran’s leadership. Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, was killed alongside his son and deputy, Alireza Bayat, during prior Israeli strikes. The Iranian government officially confirmed his death yesterday, making him the highest-ranking Iranian official to be killed in the conflict after the reported death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the outbreak of hostilities.
Table of Contents
Missile Impact on Nuclear Facility
Iran reported that a missile struck near the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on Tuesday evening. No casualties or damage were reported, but the incident has heightened international concerns. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi urged maximum restraint to prevent a nuclear accident amid escalating hostilities.
Civilian Casualties and Damage
In Tel Aviv, the latest cluster missile attack struck densely populated areas, killing at least two civilians and injuring several others. Emergency services inspected damaged buildings and vehicles across central Israel. Israeli authorities have highlighted the difficulty of defending against cluster munitions, which disperse multiple explosive submunitions over a wide area, increasing the risk of civilian casualties.
Summary of Key Events
| Date | Location | Event | Casualties | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 March 2026 | Tehran, Iran | Assassination of Ali Larijani | 3 (Larijani, son, deputy) | Israeli strike on senior officials |
| 17 March 2026 | Bushehr, Iran | Missile strike near nuclear plant | 0 | No damage, IAEA monitoring |
| 17–18 March 2026 | Tel Aviv, Israel | Cluster missile attack | 2 killed, several injured | Targeted urban areas |
| 18 March 2026 | Central Israel | Missile impact on buildings/vehicles | 0–2 | Emergency services deployed |
Escalation Context
Israeli and U.S. officials have previously stated that the campaign against Iran aimed to halt its nuclear weapons programme. Several high-ranking Iranian officials have been killed, prompting Tehran’s retaliatory strikes using cluster warheads. The use of such munitions in urban centres represents a dangerous new phase in the conflict, posing heightened risks to civilian populations.
International agencies continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasising the need for restraint to prevent further escalation and potential damage to sensitive nuclear infrastructure.