Jerusalem [Israel], March 3 (HBTV): Israel launched new waves of strikes on Iran’s capital Tehran on Monday, less than an hour after issuing an evacuation warning to residents in targeted areas, according to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
The strikes followed coordinated US and Israeli airstrikes across multiple Iranian cities on February 28 that targeted military command centres, air-defence systems, missile sites, and key regime infrastructure. The attacks reportedly resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and four senior military and security officials.
The IDF confirmed an attack on a studio complex of Iran’s official broadcaster, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), stating that it had ‘dismantled the Iranian terrorist regime’s communications center.’ Iran’s state-affiliated Press TV posted on Telegram that the broadcaster’s headquarters ‘has been targeted by US-Israeli airstrikes.’
The media company, however, maintained that ‘there has been no disruption and the IRIB channels are functioning without problem,’ CNN reported.
In a post on X, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) said the centre struck was ‘recently used by the Iranian regime’s forces to advance military activities under the guise of civilian activity and assets, in addition to the propaganda activities that emanate from the communications center.’
The strikes came after the IDF issued an evacuation notice to residents of Tehran’s Evin neighbourhood, where state media offices and other facilities are located.
An IDF spokesperson warned that Israeli forces would target Iranian military infrastructure ‘in the coming hours’ and urged civilians to leave the designated area. ‘For your safety and well-being, we request that you immediately evacuate the designated area,’ the spokesperson said, adding that failure to evacuate ‘puts your lives at risk,’ CNN reported.
The targeted area was previously struck in June, when a loud explosion was heard during a live broadcast. Iran’s state media later reported that one of its workers was killed in that incident.
In parallel with its operations in Iran, the IDF issued warnings to civilians in parts of southern Lebanon, urging residents of multiple villages to evacuate ahead of strikes on Hezbollah-linked targets. In a video posted in Arabic, an IDF spokesperson said Hezbollah’s activities were prompting Israeli action and advised civilians to move north of a designated line for their safety.
Separately, the Israeli military issued guidance for residents of buildings in Beirut’s southern suburb of Haret Hreik to leave, stating, ‘You are in close proximity to Hezbollah facilities. For your safety and the safety of your families, you must evacuate these buildings immediately and remain at a distance of at least 300 meters.’
The IDF said its strikes also targeted ‘headquarters, bases, and regional command centers of the Iranian terrorist regime’s internal security bodies,’ along with ‘more than 10 sites belonging to the regime’s main intelligence services’ under Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence. It added that multiple missile launchers and ballistic missile arrays were hit, marking a further escalation in the conflict.
The IDF and the IAF confirmed that missiles were launched from Iran toward Israeli territory. Israeli defence systems were activated to intercept the incoming threats, and air-raid warnings were issued in several regions.
‘The Air Force has identified that a short while ago, missiles were launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defence systems are operating to intercept the threat. In the last few minutes, the Home Front Command has issued a preliminary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas. The public is requested to exercise responsibility and act in accordance with the directives; they save lives,’ the IDF said.
‘One must enter protected spaces upon receiving the alert and remain in them until a new announcement. Exit from the protected space will be permitted only after receiving an explicit directive; continue to act in accordance with Home Front Command directives,’ it added.
In response to the February 28 strikes, Iran launched ballistic missiles and drones targeting US assets and allied countries across the region, including Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, widening the conflict in West Asia and heightening risks for civilians and expatriates.
(ANI)