U.S. Drops Landmines Near Iranian Missile Sites, Civilian Casualties Reported

TEHRAN, Iran — The United States has deployed landmines around Iranian cities housing ballistic missile bases, an operation that has resulted in explosions in nearby residential areas and civilian casualties, Iranian officials said Wednesday. The strikes, which began late Tuesday, targeted mobile missile launchers positioned in the vicinity of major urban centers.

The U.S. military stated the operation was designed to neutralize ballistic missile launchers capable of striking regional targets. Pentagon officials confirmed the deployment of explosive devices intended to destroy mobile launch platforms as they moved through designated corridors. The strategy aims to degrade Iran's ability to launch long-range attacks without engaging in a broader aerial bombardment campaign.

Iranian authorities reported that several mines detonated in towns adjacent to military zones, injuring civilians and damaging homes. Local hospitals in the Isfahan and Qom provinces treated dozens of victims, including children, with injuries ranging from shrapnel wounds to severe burns. Iranian state television broadcast footage of destroyed vehicles and debris scattered across residential streets, though it did not confirm the specific origin of the explosives.

The U.S. Department of Defense acknowledged the use of precision-guided munitions but denied targeting civilian infrastructure. A spokesperson said the operation was conducted with strict rules of engagement to minimize collateral damage. However, the Pentagon did not address reports of mines landing outside designated military zones.

Iranian officials condemned the action as a violation of international law and a direct threat to national sovereignty. The country’s foreign ministry called for an immediate halt to the operations and warned of potential retaliatory measures. Iranian military commanders have since increased security around missile sites and restricted movement in surrounding areas.

Regional tensions have escalated following the strikes, with neighboring countries expressing concern over the potential for a wider conflict. Diplomatic channels remain open, but no formal negotiations have been announced. The United Nations has not yet issued a statement on the incident.

Questions remain about the full scope of the U.S. operation and whether additional strikes are planned. Iranian officials have not confirmed the number of missile launchers destroyed, while U.S. officials have not provided details on the effectiveness of the mission. As of Wednesday evening, no further explosions have been reported, but military activity in the region remains heightened.