TABRIZ: In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Israel has reportedly carried out a new wave of airstrikes deep within Iranian territory, targeting critical military infrastructure in the cities of Tabriz and Shiraz, according to multiple Iranian media outlets.
The semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that the northwestern city of Tabriz came under attack late Friday. Preliminary assessments suggest that the Israeli airstrikes were aimed at the city’s airport and adjacent military air bases, which are believed to house key logistical and defence assets.
Simultaneously, in the southern city of Shiraz, another strike targeted what sources describe as a missile production facility. The installation is believed to be a strategic part of Iran’s domestic missile development program; which Israel has long considered a direct threat to its national security.
These latest attacks follow Israel’s earlier high-profile strikes in Tehran that resulted in the deaths of several senior Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists. Those incidents were already being seen as a turning point in the long-standing covert conflict between the two regional powers. However, Friday’s airstrikes signal a sharp intensification and a possible shift toward more open and sustained military confrontation.
As of now, Iranian authorities have not issued a comprehensive official response, but local emergency services were quickly dispatched to the affected areas. Eyewitnesses in Tabriz reported loud explosions and visible plumes of smoke near the airport. In response to the situation, all commercial flights in and out of Tabriz International Airport have reportedly been suspended until further notice.
Security analysts warn that this latest series of attacks could provoke a forceful Iranian retaliation, potentially drawing the broader region into a cycle of tit-for-tat violence. International observers have also raised concerns that the conflict could spill over into neighbouring countries or disrupt global energy markets, especially if critical infrastructure is targeted in future operations.
Meanwhile, the Israeli government has not officially commented on the airstrikes, in line with its long-standing policy of strategic ambiguity regarding military operations conducted inside Iran. However, sources within Israeli defence circles have previously indicated that any Iranian military build-up or weapons development perceived as a direct threat will be met with swift and decisive action.
The international community, already on edge due to recent events in the Middle East, is watching closely for Iran’s next move. The United Nations and several major powers have called for restraint and urged both nations to avoid further escalation that could lead to a broader war.
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