The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has announced that it has begun carrying out a series of strikes targeting infrastructure in major cities across Iran, including Tehran, Shiraz and Tabriz.
In a statement released by the Israeli military, the IDF said the operations are aimed at destroying what it described as infrastructure belonging to Iran’s “terror regime.” The military added that the attacks form part of a broader campaign against Iranian government facilities.
The ongoing conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran began on February 28, 2026, and has continued to intensify with repeated exchanges of missile and drone attacks across the region.
According to Israel’s Ministry of Health, at least 3,369 people, including civilians and soldiers have been injured since the war began.
Elsewhere in the Gulf, Bahrain reported that its defense systems have intercepted 129 missiles and 215 drones since the start of the conflict in the Middle East. Authorities said two people were killed in the attacks.
Earlier on March 16, 2026, Iran launched multiple missiles toward Israel, but most were intercepted by air defense systems. Debris from the intercepted missiles reportedly fell in several Israeli cities, including Shoham, Rishon LeZion, Lod and Ness Ziona.
Iran also reportedly carried out a drone attack in Fujairah, located in the eastern part of the United Arab Emirates near Oman.
The emirate lies close to the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes, making the area particularly sensitive as the regional conflict continues to escalate.
