Iran's Foreign Ministry: US Testing New Weapon Targeting Iranian Civilians

Iran accuses the US of testing a new weapon system on Iranian civilians during the war.

As previously reported, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei detailed the US missile strike on a sports facility on February 28, the first day of the US-Israel war in Iran, which killed 24 people including a two-year-old girl.

In a post on X, Baghaei stated the attack used a new weapon system involving airburst missiles that discharge high-velocity tungsten projectiles, causing widespread destruction.

“This is not a mistake – it is a calculated decision to test the destructive power of a new weapon system on Iranian civilians,” Baghaei said.

“Such actions constitute clear and condemnable war crimes.”

The US-Israel attacks on Iran have killed over 3,000 people. Iran has refused to surrender, and negotiations remain in a very difficult phase, with the US demanding Iran hand over its uranium. Tehran has steadfastly refused.

Amid escalating tensions, the US launched another strike in southern Iran as a test of the seven-week ceasefire.

“The US military targeted missile launch sites and vessels attempting to lay mines,” said US Central Command (Centcom) on Tuesday.

The attack indicates the ceasefire with Iran has not ended.

In Iran, news site Tabnak, believed to be close to former Revolutionary Guards chief Mohsen Rezaei, identified four Revolutionary Guards killed in the strike.

They were killed in the American attack on Iranian vessels. Iranian state television separately reported explosions around Bandar Abbas, a city in the Strait of Hormuz housing a military port and dual-use airport.

Iranian state news agency Mehr then stated the situation is fully under control and there is no cause for public concern.

This strike is the second-largest during the seven-week ceasefire. It occurred while Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker, led negotiators to Qatar.

Local media reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati were also part of the delegation.

Hemmati’s presence has sparked speculation that talks will focus on unfreezing Iran’s assets.

The ongoing negotiations with the US are reportedly set to see Washington agree to unfreeze some of Iran’s assets held in foreign banks, including in Qatar.