US Central Command on Tuesday denied reports that US forces struck civilian sites in Iran's southern city of Lamerd, calling the allegations "false."
"U.S. forces did not launch any strikes at any time into the city of Lamerd or anywhere within 30 miles (48 kilometers) during the opening day of Operation Epic Fury," spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins said in a statement.
He also rejected claims that a Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) was used, saying footage circulating in media reports does not match the system's specifications.
"A PrSM is 13 feet in length. The munition depicted in the video appears to be twice as long, consistent with the dimensions and silhouette of an Iranian Hoveyzeh cruise missile," Hawkins said.
The denial follows a report by The New York Times citing visual evidence and weapons experts who said PrSM hit a sports hall and nearby school on Feb. 28, killing at least 21 people.
An analysis of videos and photos from the scene suggests the weapon used was a PrSM, a short-range ballistic missile developed by the US Army.
The newspaper said a US official confirmed the use of the PrSM, while analysts pointed to fragmentation patterns consistent with the system.
