Intense Bombardments Against Iran as Country Launches Retaliatory Missiles

Israel launched intense bombardments Saturday against multiple areas of Iran, targeting facilities linked to the country's nuclear program, economic infrastructure, and the Sharif University of Technology in Tehran — the nation's most prominent scientific institution.

Images circulating on social media platform X showed large columns of smoke and massive explosions in Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, and other Iranian cities, which have been under attack by Israel and the United States since February 28.

A steel complex located in Isfahan Province and three nuclear program facilities were also struck during a raid involving 50 aircraft, according to Israeli sources cited by the Al Hadath television network. Iran's Tasnim news agency further reported that a methanol production plant and an industrial complex at the Port of Dayyer, in Bushehr Province, were also bombed.

Iran's Fars news agency reported five deaths and seven injuries following a strike on a residential building in the city of Zanjan. Qatar-based Al Jazeera reported 10 members of the same family killed in a separate incident in Qom.

In retaliation, Iran launched overnight missile strikes against Israel, killing one man and wounding three others in Tel Aviv following a direct impact.

"We are a strong and victorious country," said Iranian Armed Forces spokesman Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi in a defiant statement, vowing to strike back against what he described as the aggressors.

A separate Iranian security source told regional broadcaster Al Mayadeen that Tehran's future responses would be "more forceful" following the bombardment of the country's economic infrastructure, which the source characterized as "a sign of desperation."

Later that night, the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia — used by the U.S. Department of Defense — was also struck. The Wall Street Journal reported that at least 12 American service members sustained injuries in the Iranian strike on the facility, two of them in critical condition, with several tanker aircraft also damaged. The Associated Press subsequently revised the figure to 15 casualties, five of whom are in serious condition.

Meanwhile, Israel continued its airstrikes and ground advances in Lebanon, where Hezbollah engaged in combat operations across southern regions, resulting in casualties on both sides. Sky News Arabia reported that four paramedics were killed in an Israeli strike on an ambulance in the area.