(DDM) – Tehran reeled on Sunday as a series of Israeli airstrikes struck deep within the Iranian capital, triggering multiple explosions and sending shockwaves through a city already reeling from heightened regional conflict.
Residents across central Tehran reported hearing loud blasts in several districts early Sunday, with some strikes centered near government facilities and major thoroughfares. Footage emerging from the city showed towering plumes of smoke rising above the skyline as sirens wailed and emergency responders rushed to affected areas.
According to statements attributed to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), the strikes aimed to degrade Iran’s military capabilities and target key installations in the heart of the capital. The IDF described the operation as part of a broader campaign against what it calls the Iranian “terror regime,” asserting that the airstrikes were designed to establish air superiority and weaken Tehran’s capacity to launch future attacks.
The bombardment comes just days after a joint US-Israeli military offensive reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and top military figures — a development that has significantly escalated military tensions across the Middle East. Following those initial strikes, Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli territory and US military bases in several Gulf states, including Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
The latest strikes on Tehran have unnerved both local residents and international observers. Tehran, home to over 9 million people, houses key government ministries, intelligence offices, and strategic military infrastructure, making it a deeply symbolic and significant target. Emergency services were seen evacuating civilians from impacted neighborhoods and treating the wounded, though precise casualty figures have not been released.
Iranian authorities condemned the strikes as blatant acts of aggression and violations of international law, vowing to respond with force. Officials described the bombardment of central Tehran as an escalation that could further destabilize an already volatile region. The Iranian government also called for international condemnation and urged global powers to intervene diplomatically to prevent the conflict from spiraling into a wider war.
The attacks add to a growing list of strikes that have rocked Iranian cities in recent days. Coordinated attacks were reported in more than 20 Iranian cities during earlier phases of the conflict, according to the Iranian Red Crescent. Civilians across Iran have faced road closures, disrupted services, and widespread fear as explosions and emergency sirens have become a regular occurrence.
International reactions have been mixed. Some US and Israeli allies have expressed cautious support for actions aimed at curbing Iran’s military reach, while others — including Russia and China — have condemned the attacks and called for restraint. The United Nations and various human rights groups have urged both sides to seek de-escalation and prevent further civilian casualties.
The unfolding situation in Tehran underscores how the conflict has moved beyond isolated military engagements, drawing in regional powers and intensifying fears of a broader Middle Eastern war. As airstrikes continue and Tehran braces for further attacks, diplomatic channels remain strained and global concern grows over the potential for widespread instability.
