An Associated Press review, based on analysis by the conflict monitor Airwars, suggests that Lockheed Martin's Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) caused widespread civilian casualties and damage when it was apparently used for the first time in combat during the Iran war. The missile, marketed by its manufacturer as precise and long-range, appears to scatter metal pellets over a wide area on detonation, raising serious concerns among weapons experts about its suitability for use near populated areas.

Three missiles believed to be PrSMs struck the southern Iranian city of Lamerd on 28 February, detonating above a sports complex and two residential neighbourhoods and killing at least 21 civilians, including seven children, according to Iranian officials. Airwars found that casualties occurred as far as 50 metres from the blast sites, with damage extending more than three times that distance, and verified its findings using satellite imagery, photos and videos alongside AP's own analysis. The US military has confirmed using PrSMs in Iran but denies striking Lamerd, and it remains unclear what the intended target was, though an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps compound nearby showed no damage. Six weapons experts told AP they believed PrSMs were responsible and warned against deploying the weapon in densely populated areas.