Iran-Israel Conflict: The ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel is escalating every day, with both countries attacking each other with missiles and suicide drones.
Tel Aviv has threatened to eliminate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, while Iran has recently attacked an Israeli hospital with a deadly cluster bomb.
What Is A Cluster Bomb?’
A cluster bomb is a combination of several big and small bombs inside a missile. The bomb, carrying cluster bombs, explodes midair, spreading cluster bombs over a large area. This bomb is basically used to damage a wide area. Many times, such bombs are also included in this cluster that do not explode immediately and later explode due to pressure or a trigger, causing harm to common citizens.
Donald Trump to decide on attack on Iran in two Weeks
The White House on Thursday (local time) informed that United States President Donald Trump is going to decide in the next two weeks whether US forces will join Israel and help the country in the ongoing war with Iran. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also stated and emphasised the possibility of diplomatic engagement with Tehran.
While addressing a press briefing at the White House, Leavitt read Trump’s statement, highlighting the possibility of diplomatic negotiations amid the escalating conflict between the two countries.
“Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,” Leavitt quoted the President as saying. Leavitt also reiterated the administration’s stance on Iran’s nuclear program. In response to a question about the contours of any possible deal with Iran, Leavitt said, “No enrichment of Uranium and… Iran is absolutely not able to achieve a nuclear weapon. The President has been very clear about that.”
Evacuation Continues from Iran-Israel
In view of the increasing tension between Iran and Israel, many countries have started rescue operations of their citizens. India has rescued 110 Indian students and citizens from Iran. At the same time, India is preparing to run a similar rescue operation in Israel. Japan has also informed that it has safely evacuated 90 of its citizens from Iran and Israel. Australia has also stopped the work of its embassy in Tehran and has instructed its officials to return as soon as possible.
In simple terms, cluster bombs disperse several small bomblets over a large area. Unlike single-explosion munitions, they release these submunitions in mid-air, typically from a significant height, to cover a wide target zone.
Controversy Behind Cluster Bombs
These bombs are defamed because of their indiscriminate nature and their tendency to leave behind unexploded ordnance. As several of these clusters are fail to explode, they can remain active which posses a major danger to civilians who come in contact with them.
Are cluster bombs banned?
The 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions is an international agreement prohibiting the development, production, stockpiling, and use of cluster bombs. While 111 countries and 12 other entities are party to the treaty, several significant military nations, such as the United States, Iran, and Israel, have not ratified it.
Two years ago, in 2023, after a long debate, America supplied cluster bombs to Ukraine to defend itself from Russian forces. Kyiv, on several occasions, alleges that Moscow has also used cluster bombs against it. The US and Russia, similar to Iran and Israel, have not ratified the treaty.
The conflict between Iran and Israel escalated on June 13, when Tel Aviv launched ‘Operation Rising Lion’, targeting Iran’s nuclear and military facilities. Iran has since retaliated, resulting in intense exchanges across the region. On Thursday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz called for direct action against Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, citing Iran’s attack on Soroka Hospital in southern Israel a day earlier.