WASHINGTON (TNND) — Israel hit Iranian government targets in Tehran on Monday, following the Trump administration’s airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
The Israeli military confirmed it struck roads around Iran’s Fordo enrichment facility ” in order to obstruct access” to the site.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday night that the U.S. had “severely damaged” Fordo in its strikes.
U.S. officials said the strikes targeted the Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz nuclear facilities over the weekend, utilizing American stealth bombers and the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a 30,000-pound bunker-buster bomb.
In Tehran, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that Evin Prison and the security headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were hit.
“The Iranian dictator will be punished with full force for attacking the Israeli home front,” Israel’s Defense Ministry said.
An Israeli official familiar with the government’s strategy told The Associated Press that Israel is targeting these sites to put pressure on the Iranian administration but is not actively seeking to topple it. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal government deliberations.
Iran fired back at Israel on Monday with Operation “True Promise 3,” saying it was targeting the Israeli cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv, according to Iranian state television.
Iranian Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, the chief of joint staff of armed forces, warned Washington that its strikes had given Iranian forces a “free hand “ to “act against U.S. interests and its army.”
Tens of thousands of American troops are based in the Middle East, many in locations within range of short-range Iranian missiles.
Pakistan condemned President Donald Trump for bombing Iran just 24 hours after recommending him for a Nobel Peace Prize, stating it is “gravely concerned at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region.”
Trump said any retaliation by Iran against the U.S. would be met with force “far greater than what was witnessed” on Saturday night.
