Israeli airstrikes have targeted Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport and several key locations across the capital. Following the strikes, massive explosions were reported, with thick plumes of smoke rising from the airport grounds as the city’s air defences were activated.
Footage posted on social media showed strikes and large fires at the capital's busiest commercial airport. Eyewitnesses said that planes on the tarmac were burning after explosions.
Israel confirmed it has launched 'broad-scale' strikes against high-priority targets in Tehran. Simultaneously, Iranian state media acknowledged a massive explosion in the western part of the capital, as residents reported a series of deafening blasts.
According to reports, Israel's 'intense' airstrikes shook homes and sent huge smoke rising in the area. There were also reports that explosions took place around the Iranian city of Kermanshah, which is home to several missile bases.
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With no aim of backing down, US President Donald Trump's administration approved a new $151 million arms sale to Israel. Trump had said that he would not negotiate with Iran without its "unconditional surrender." While Iran's UN ambassador said that the country would "take all necessary measures" to defend itself.
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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a television interview that the "biggest bombing campaign" of the war was still to come.
The escalation in the West Asia tensions followed after a joint US-Israel military strike on February 28 on Iran, which killed the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with other senior leaders. In retaliatory strikes, Iran has also launched a wave of drone and missile attacks on multiple Arab countries.