Explosions rock Tehran as Israel begins new wave of attacks

Israel has launched a fresh wave of airstrikes targeting Iranian military facilities in Tehran, signalling a further escalation in the rapidly expanding conflict between the two regional powers.

In a statement late Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces said its air force had begun “an additional wave of strikes” aimed at military infrastructure linked to the Iranian government across the capital.

“The IDF has begun an additional wave of strikes targeting military infrastructure belonging to the Iranian regime across Tehran,” the military said, adding that more details about the operation would be released later.

The renewed bombardment follows an earlier large-scale attack by Israeli forces on a compound in eastern Tehran that reportedly housed command centres and internal security personnel.

Journalists from AFP reported hearing a powerful explosion in the Iranian capital on Wednesday night, indicating the intensity of the ongoing strikes.

The escalating hostilities have also triggered sharp diplomatic tensions across the Gulf region, where neighbouring countries are increasingly alarmed by the widening conflict.

Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani held his first direct conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi since the outbreak of the crisis, demanding an immediate halt to Iran’s attacks.

Arab governments have expressed anger after Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at several Gulf countries, including Qatar, targeting US military installations but also damaging civilian and energy infrastructure.

According to a Qatari government readout of the call, Al Thani firmly rejected Tehran’s claim that its strikes were directed solely at American interests.

He accused Iran of attempting to harm neighbouring states and “drag them into a war that is not theirs,” urging an immediate cessation of the attacks.

Military activity across the region has intensified in recent days, with Israeli strikes inside Iran and retaliatory Iranian missile launches raising fears of a prolonged and wider war.