Summary Cluster munitions may be used lawfully against legitimate military targets, but their indiscriminate use against civilians is prohibited under international humanitarian law. Key Takeaways Cluster munitions are not universally illegal, but using them indiscriminately against civilians or civilian areas violates international humanitarian law. But Iran’s widespread and indiscriminate use of cluster bombs constitutes a clear violation of customary international humanitarian norms. The use of cluster munitions is regulated in the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), adopted on May 30, 2008, at Dublin. According to the NGO ‘Landmine and Cluster Munitions Monitor’, which tracks adherence to and compliance with the relevant international instruments, Israel has developed, produced, exported, and acquired cluster munitions, and hosts U.S. stocks.

Source: CNN March 23, 2026 15:20 UTC