Reports say US PrSM missile killed civilians in Lamerd, target unclear

Airwars and the Associated Press map the Lamerd strikes, finding that Lockheed Martin's Precision Strike Missile killed civilians up to 50 meters from detonation points and caused damage well beyond that radius. The PrSM, designed to explode midair and unleash tens of thousands of tungsten pellets, is US-made and deployable from HIMARS or M270/M270A2 launchers. Six weapons experts, including former military officials, say the civilian casualties and blast pattern raise serious concerns about using the weapon in populated areas. The United States has confirmed firing PrSMs into Iran but denies striking Lamerd, with other claims about alternate missiles being refuted by experts and officials. The exact target in Lamerd remains unclear, though a nearby IRGC compound is present and appears undamaged in satellite images. Critics note that despite its advanced capabilities and a Pentagon push to expand production, the PrSM’s potential for mass civilian harm challenges its deployment near populated centers.