Iran13 March, 20261 min read
Israel Pounds Tehran With Heavy Strikes
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Israeli and U.S. air strikes heavily struck Tehran, causing large explosions About 2,500 U.S. Marines are deploying to the Middle East
Wide-scale strikes and response
Israel launched a "wide-scale wave of strikes" across Iran on Friday, with the Israeli military saying the attacks hit an "underground ballistic missile facility, an aerial defense base and command centers.
“The Israeli military announced it had launched a ‘wide-scale wave of strikes’ across Iran on Friday, targeting an underground ballistic missile facility, an aerial defense base and command centers.”
Tehran and its proxies responded with fresh missile barrages towards Israel, prompting shelter orders in affected areas and claims of incoming missiles and drones being intercepted by regional bases.
Targets and objectives
Israeli statements framed strikes as targeting Iran’s military infrastructure and paramilitary checkpoints, with Al Jazeera noting that Israel said it had struck checkpoints set up in Tehran by the Basij force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
Israeli leaders publicly tied military action to strategic goals such as stopping Iran from moving projects underground or "creating conditions for regime change."
Regional casualties and damage
The strikes have produced wider regional fallout, with Lebanese officials reporting heavy civilian losses and mass displacement amid intense bombardments. Israel said it has killed hundreds of Hezbollah fighters in renewed fighting. Images and reports described homes in Israel and elsewhere hit by missiles.
“Mounting death toll and mass displacement: Lebanese officials have reported that at least 687 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since last Monday, including 98 children. The intense bombardments have displaced an estimated 700,000 to 750,000 people from their homes.”
International military response
The international and security response has been tangible: the US has deployed defensive capabilities to the region, including 10,000 Merops interceptor drones according to Al Jazeera. Washington is moving personnel and naval assets — roughly 2,500 Marines and at least one amphibious assault ship were reported headed to the Middle East. Law enforcement globally has been placed on heightened alert.
Political and public reaction
The strikes and counterattacks have also driven political and societal reactions: Iran’s leadership — including a speech by Khamenei that called for the Islamic Republic to "obtain compensation" from its enemies and has been linked in some reporting to activation of sleeper networks — faces domestic strain and international isolation.
“Khamenei — who has not been seen since the joint US-Israel operation in Iran began on Feb. 28 — used his inaugural speech to call for the Islamic Republic to ‘obtain compensation’ from its enemies.”
Protests across the Middle East marked Jerusalem Day and the UN chief traveled to Beirut in a show of solidarity.