On October 17, 2023, Iranian state television reported that Iran launched cluster bombs aimed at Tel Aviv as a response to the assassination of Ali Larijani, the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. This attack marks an escalation in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, with Iran accusing Israel of previous use of such explosive weaponry. Iran's military forces assert that since the beginning of the war, they have been routinely using cluster munitions in their strikes against Israeli territory.

The use of cluster munitions is controversial as there exists a 2008 convention that bans their use, though neither Israel nor Iran has signed this treaty. Both nations have engaged in military actions that violate international norms regarding these weapons. In June 2025, during a previous short war between the two nations, Israel had already condemned Iran for deploying cluster munitions against them, further intensifying the longstanding military rivalry that has significant implications for regional stability.

This recent attack reflects the deteriorating relationship between Iran and Israel and raises concerns about civilian safety and adherence to international law. The continuation of these military strategies may provoke further retaliatory actions and exacerbate tensions in an already volatile Middle East, where both countries have been engaged in a proxy war across different fronts, impacting their respective allies and the broader geopolitical landscape.