Experts dispute US account of deadly Iran sports hall strike in Lamerd
Experts dispute US account of deadly Iran sports hall strike in Lamerd
Lamerd, a town in southern Iran, was struck on 28 February, sparking a debate over who was responsible. Verified CCTV footage, authenticated by BBC Verify, captured a munition moments before it exploded above a residential area. Six specialists reviewed the attack footage independently and challenged the U.S. assertion that an Iranian missile was involved, pointing to its visual characteristics, explosion pattern, and trajectory as evidence.
Centcom’s Initial Denial
US Central Command (Centcom), which manages military operations in the Middle East, initially confirmed the attack was carried out by an Iranian Hoveyzeh cruise missile. The statement emphasized that U.S. forces do not target civilians, contrasting with the Iranian regime’s alleged 300+ attacks on civilian locations in neighboring countries. However, when BBC Verify revisited the claim, Centcom offered no additional insights, reiterating its stance.
Expert Analysis Contradicts Centcom’s Claim
Experts from defense intelligence firms Janes and McKenzie Intelligence, along with a Bellingcat analyst, argued the missile seen in the footage resembled a US Precision Strike Missile (PrSM). They highlighted features like its length and the presence of “canard fins,” which align with advanced US technology. In contrast, Centcom cited the missile’s dimensions and silhouette as matching the Hoveyzeh, but analysts noted these distinguishing traits were absent in the available footage.
During the attack, the munition exploded mid-air, a feature consistent with the PrSM’s airburst capability, which disperses fragments over a wider area. Despite low-resolution video, the mid-air detonation was clearly visible, supporting the theory that the missile was designed to maximize civilian casualties.
Additional Context: Minab Strikes
On the same day, nearly 400km east of Lamerd, strikes targeted a school and military base in Minab, killing 168 people. Expert analysis suggested a US Tomahawk missile hit the compound, though the exact weapon type remains under investigation. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the incident was being examined, reaffirming the claim that US forces “never target civilian targets.”
“After looking into the reports, U.S. Central Command has confirmed the accusations are false,” stated US Navy Capt Tim Hawkins. “U.S. forces did not launch any strikes at any time into the city of Lamerd or anywhere within 30 miles during the opening day of Operation Epic Fury,” he added, noting the missile in the video appeared “twice as long” as a Hoveyzeh.
Amael Kotlarski, a Janes analyst, pointed out that the Hoveyzeh’s belly-mounted turbojet and mid-body wings would be visible regardless of viewing angle. “None of that is clearly distinguishable from the footage,” he said, stressing the missile’s distinctiveness. Another McKenzie Intelligence expert observed that the video lacked visible wings or external engine components, further supporting the PrSM theory.
While the Hoveyzeh and PrSM differ in appearance, the footage’s clarity on the mid-air explosion and the missile’s length align with advanced US systems. This has fueled ongoing disputes over the weapon’s origin, with experts urging closer scrutiny of the evidence to determine responsibility.
