TEHRAN, Iran – Overnight strikes by Israel have ignited fires at oil facilities and infrastructure sites across Iran, including at Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, as the conflict between the two nations enters its second week. The attacks, part of a broadening military campaign, are intensifying pressure on Iran while also raising concerns about regional escalation. Smoke and fire rose from targeted locations in the Iranian capital, with reports indicating oil droplets falling from the sky in some areas.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that over 80 fighter jets participated in a wave of strikes overnight, dropping approximately 230 bombs on Iranian military sites. These targets included a subterranean facility used for the storage and production of ballistic missiles, as well as missile storage sites and the Imam Hossein University, a military academy affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IDF characterized the university as an “emergency asset” and an assembly complex for the IRGC.
Escalating Strikes Target Iran’s Weapon Production
Israel is reportedly ramping up strikes on Iran’s weapon production facilities, focusing on sites used to manufacture missiles and launchers. This shift in strategy suggests an attempt to disrupt Iran’s ability to retaliate and potentially degrade its long-term military capabilities. The attacks come as Iran’s de facto leader has vowed to continue retaliatory strikes, further fueling the cycle of violence. The conflict began on February 28th with a US-Israeli attack targeting Iran’s missile infrastructure, military sites, and leadership, resulting in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei according to the BBC.
Footage circulating on social media confirmed strikes and large fires at Mehrabad International Airport, with the Israeli military describing the operation as “extensive.” The strikes are occurring as the US warns of an impending bombing campaign expected to be the most intense yet in the weeklong conflict, which has already claimed at least 1,230 lives as reported by Al Jazeera.
Regional Implications and Retaliation
The conflict is not limited to direct exchanges between Israel and Iran. Tehran has also been launching retaliatory strikes against US assets across the Gulf, broadening the scope of the war. Iran has also issued new threats against European countries that might join the war, raising the stakes for international involvement. Israel has simultaneously been pounding Iran missile sites, with more than 80 jets involved in the overnight strikes according to The Times of Israel.
The United States and Israel launched their initial attack on February 28th, targeting Iran’s missile infrastructure, military sites, and leadership in Tehran and across the country. As of March 5th, Iranian state-linked media reported 1,230 deaths, while the US-based Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA) group reported 1,114 civilian deaths and an additional 926 deaths under review. Iran has accused the US and Israel of attacking a girls’ school near an IRGC base, alleging over 160 fatalities, though the US is investigating the reports and Israel denies involvement.
Internet connectivity in Iran has been almost entirely restricted, and its airspace has been closed, hindering the flow of information and complicating international travel. The ongoing conflict has entered a critical phase, with both sides demonstrating a willingness to escalate the situation.
The situation remains highly volatile, and the potential for further escalation is significant. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether a path towards de-escalation can be found or if the conflict will continue to expand, drawing in additional regional actors.
What comes next will depend on Iran’s response to the latest Israeli strikes and the level of US involvement in the ongoing conflict. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, seeking ways to prevent a wider regional war.
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