Experts dispute US account of deadly Iran sports hall strike in Lamerd
Experts dispute US account of deadly Iran sports hall strike in Lamerd
On the first day of the war, a deadly missile strike on Lamerd, Iran, sparked debate among weapons specialists who challenged the US’s assertion of responsibility. CCTV footage, authenticated and geolocated by BBC Verify, showed a munition detonating above a residential area. The clip, released by Iranian state media, was scrutinized by six experts who analyzed its visual elements and provided independent assessments. They argued that the US missile, rather than an Iranian weapon, was likely the culprit, citing key differences in design and explosion patterns.
Initially, BBC Verify reported that the missile resembled a US Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), manufactured by Lockheed Martin. Three analysts from Janes and an expert at McKenzie Intelligence all pointed to the PrSM’s characteristics, such as its blast size and alignment with potential US launch sites in the Middle East. However, US Central Command (Centcom) later contradicted this, releasing a statement on 31 March that claimed the footage matched an Iranian Hoveyzeh cruise missile. “US forces do not target civilians, unlike the Iranian regime which has attacked civilian locations in neighboring countries more than 300 times,” the statement added.
“After looking into the reports, U.S. Central Command has confirmed the accusations are false,” said 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 noted, emphasizing the missile’s length as “much more consistent with the PrSM” than the Hoveyzeh.
Experts have since pointed out discrepancies. Amael Kotlarski, a Janes analyst, highlighted that the Hoveyzeh missile features a belly-mounted turbojet and mid-body wings, which should be visible regardless of viewing angle. “None of that is clearly distinguishable from the footage,” he said, suggesting the US missile’s distinct design was overlooked. Another McKenzie Intelligence expert added that the video showed no wings or external engine, aligning with the PrSM’s profile. “I remain convinced that the weapon seen is a PrSM and not an Iranian Hoveyzeh Cruise Missile,” they stated, noting the two are “vastly different in appearance.”
Meanwhile, on 28 February, nearly 400km east of Lamerd, strikes hit an Iranian school and a military base in Minab, killing 168 people according to officials. Expert analysis suggested a US Tomahawk missile was responsible for the attack. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the incident was under investigation, reaffirming that “US forces never target civilian targets.”
Despite low-resolution footage, the mid-air explosion in Lamerd clearly depicted the weapon’s airburst capability, a trait associated with advanced missiles like the PrSM. Experts emphasized that this feature disperses fragments over a broader area, making it more effective for such targets. Centcom, when revisited by BBC Verify, reiterated its original stance, claiming “nothing to add” to its denial of US involvement.