According to
BBC Verify, experts identified the munition before it exploded as likely being a U.S. missile based on its appearance, the size of the explosion, and the distance from U.S. launch sites across the
Middle East. A munitions expert from
McKenzie Intelligence noted that the missile had no wings or external engine, but possessed distinctive "canard fins" consistent with a U.S.
Precision Strike Missile (PrSM). Experts have also pointed to the mid-air explosion above Lamerd, indicating the airburst warhead feature of a Precision Strike Missile, which is not a known capability of the Iranian
Hoveyzeh missile. According to
The New York Times, the eruption of the missile mid-air is consistent with the
Precision Strike Missile's design to detonate above its target and scatter tungsten pellets. It also noted that a U.S. official who spoke with
NYT confirmed the missile used in the attack was the Precision Strike Missile.
The Times said that the missile was being tested by the U.S. in combat for the first time, and therefore it is difficult to assess whether the strike was intentional. == Reactions ==