US-Israeli strikes kill 14, wound 15 in western Iran

ISTANBUL

At least 14 people were killed, and 15 others injured in US-Israeli strikes in western Iran, officials and local media said Tuesday.

Hassan Kamari, deputy governor of Markazi province, said 11 people were killed and 15 wounded when attacks directly targeted three residential areas in Markazi province in western Iran, causing four buildings to collapse and damaging four others.

Iranian media reported that the strikes focused on the Mahallat area in the province throughout the night.

The state news agency IRNA said three more people were killed when a strike hit the historic Jameh Mosque in the Zanjan province.

According to IRNA, the mosque’s meeting hall and a library adjacent to the main courtyard, part of a complex completed in the 19th century, were completely destroyed in the attack.

Videos circulating on social media showed the mosque’s minarets also sustained heavy damage.

The US and Israel have maintained an air offensive on Iran since Feb. 28, killing so far over 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.

*Writing by Lina Atawell