TEHRAN – Powerful explosions were reported across the Iranian capital on Saturday as the war involving Iran, Israel and the United States entered its second week, with air strikes and missile attacks continuing across the region.
Iranian officials and local media reported that Israeli air raids targeted several locations, including areas near Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran. Eyewitnesses described fires and thick smoke rising over the city after overnight bombardment, while Iranian authorities said residential areas and infrastructure were among the locations hit.
The Israel Defense Forces said more than 80 fighter jets carried out a wave of strikes on military sites across Iran, dropping hundreds of munitions on facilities it described as part of Iran’s military infrastructure. Targets included installations linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including a military university and missile storage facilities.
Iranian officials said the attacks caused casualties and damage in several areas. In the central province of Isfahan Province, at least eight people were killed and dozens of homes were damaged after strikes on multiple cities, according to provincial authorities.
Iran has continued to launch drones and missiles in response. Air raid sirens were heard overnight in Israeli cities including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv as incoming projectiles were intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems.
In a televised address, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would not surrender despite demands from U.S. President Donald Trump for what he described as “unconditional surrender.” Pezeshkian also apologized to neighboring countries that had been affected by recent strikes and said Iran would no longer target them unless attacks against Iran were launched from their territory.
Regional tensions have also affected civilian aviation and shipping routes. Flights at Dubai International Airport were temporarily suspended before partially resuming, while Emirates airline halted and later restarted some operations amid security concerns. Limited evacuation flights have also resumed from Hamad International Airport in Doha.
Elsewhere in the Gulf, the Qatar Ministry of Defence said its air defenses intercepted a missile attack targeting the country. Authorities in Bahrain reported intercepting dozens of missiles and drones since the start of the conflict.
The fighting has also spread to Lebanon, where Israeli air strikes hit the town of Nabi Chit in the eastern Bekaa Valley. Lebanese health officials said at least 16 people were killed and dozens wounded in the attacks.
The conflict began on February 28 and has rapidly expanded across the Middle East, raising concerns about wider regional escalation as military strikes continue and diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting remain uncertain.
