ISTANBUL

The US and Israel targeted Iran's Khuzestan and Mobarakeh steel companies, among the country's most strategic and largest steel companies, in a new wave of strikes amid an ongoing escalation.

Emergency units arrived at the scene, Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency reported on Friday, stating that more details will be revealed regarding the development.

Regional escalation has continued since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has retaliated with waves of drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, inflicting casualties and infrastructure damage while disrupting global markets and aviation.