Israel Strikes Iran’s Capital, Claims Attack On “Heart” Of Tehran After Massive Explosion

Massive explosions echoed across Tehran on Sunday, jolting residents awake and pushing the Middle East confrontation into an even more dangerous phase. Thick smoke was seen rising above parts of the Iranian capital as air defence systems activated across several districts.

The strike came just a day after a coordinated US-Israeli operation that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an event that has sharply intensified hostilities in the region.

Israel Claims Strike On Tehran's Core

In an official statement, Israel said the operation directly targeted the ruling establishment inside the capital.

"The IDF is striking targets that belong to the Iranian terror regime in the heart of Tehran. Over the past day, the Israeli Air Force conducted large-scale strikes in order to establish aerial superiority and to pave the path to Tehran," the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said.

Israeli officials indicated the operation was intended to weaken command structures and strategic installations rather than symbolic locations, marking one of the rare occasions Tehran itself has come under a direct attack.

Aftermath Of Khamenei's Killing

The latest strike follows the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a joint US-Israel attack a day earlier. His death has dramatically altered the political and military balance in Iran, triggering internal security alerts and heightened military readiness across the country.

Authorities in Tehran moved quickly to restrict movement in several areas while emergency units and air defence batteries were deployed. The capital, normally insulated from direct warfare, has now become a central theatre in the confrontation.

Iran Vows Retaliation

The new attack came only hours after Iran promised revenge and began launching strikes towards several Gulf locations. Iranian leaders warned the response would be severe, signalling the possibility of a prolonged regional conflict involving multiple countries.

With direct strikes now occurring inside Iran's capital and retaliatory attacks spreading across the Gulf, fears are growing that the crisis may expand beyond isolated military exchanges into a wider Middle East war.