Israel launched new airstrikes on Tehran. Following the attack, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz posted on X, “Tehran is burning.” He also shared a video that showed flames rising from an oil depot northwest of Tehran. Reports claim the depot was hit during the Israeli strikes.
Just a day earlier, Katz had warned, “Tehran will burn” if Iran continued its retaliatory attacks.
Iran Tries to Contain the Fire
Soon after the explosion, Iranian state media reported that the fire was under control. They quoted officials from the oil ministry, who confirmed the situation had been managed.
Israeli Strikes Hit Defence Ministry Buildings
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed they struck Iran’s Ministry of Defense headquarters in Tehran. This information matched reports from Iranian media.
In an official statement, the IDF said its air force launched “an extensive series of intelligence-based strikes” on several high-value targets in Tehran.
According to the statement, the strikes hit:
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The Ministry of Defense building
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The SPND nuclear project headquarters
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Other facilities involved in Iran’s nuclear weapons efforts
The IDF also claimed that these locations were where Iran “hid its nuclear archive.”
Another Strike Hits Defense Research Body
Moreover, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported another hit on a key site. This strike targeted the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research, a group linked to the defense ministry.
Conflict Reaches New Heights
This new wave of attacks follows strong threats from both countries. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier said he would strike “every target of the ayatollah regime.” In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that more Israeli strikes would lead to “a more severe and powerful response.”
Peace Talks Cancelled
As violence increased, efforts to calm the situation suffered a major blow. A planned round of nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran was cancelled on Sunday. Iranian officials said they could not attend peace talks while Israel continued its attacks.
Dozens Reported Dead
Israel’s military operation began early Friday. Since then, it has targeted Iran’s air defense systems, nuclear facilities, and military bases. According to Tehran, these strikes killed dozens of people, including high-ranking army commanders and nuclear scientists.