Israel stages new strikes on targets in Iranian capital

ISTANBUL

The Israeli army launched a new wave of airstrikes on targets in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Monday, the military said.

“The IDF (army) is currently striking regime targets and oppressive government bodies in the heart of Tehran with unprecedented force,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said.

Katz said the strikes targeted the headquarters of Basij, a volunteer paramilitary organization operating under Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and the Evin Prison in the northwest of Tehran, where political prisoners and regime opponents are held.

The Times of Israel news outlet said that the prison was targeted to facilitate the escape of prisoners.

Sounds of explosions were heard in Tehran, according to an Anadolu reporter.

"At this moment, Air Force planes are deepening strikes in the Tehran area, focusing on Revolutionary Guards headquarters,” army spokesman Efi Defrin said.

"We attacked two missile launchers in central Iran that were ready for immediate launch,” he added.

The army said attacks also targeted several military command centers belonging to the Iranian regime and the IRGC’s Sayyed al-Shuhada Corps, as well as the General Intelligence Directorate of the Internal Security Forces.

According to the army, over 100 projectiles were fired targeting locations in Tehran during the past two hours.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said a building used by the Red Crescent Society was targeted in Tehran by Israeli strikes.

The new attacks came shortly after Iran fired a salvo of missiles into central and northern Israel on Monday as the conflict continued to widen between the two regional arch-foes.

Israel and Iran have been engaged in aerial combat since June 13 when Tel Aviv launched a surprise attack on several sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.

Israeli authorities said at least 25 people have been killed and hundreds injured since then in Iranian missile attacks.

Meanwhile, in Iran, at least 430 people have been killed and more than 3,500 wounded in the Israeli assault, according to the Iranian Health Ministry.