TEHRAN: U.S. and Israeli forces carried out strikes on key military sites in Iran’s central Isfahan province early Tuesday, reportedly using powerful 2,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Iranian officials, quoted by local media, confirmed that multiple military facilities were struck, though exact locations and damage assessments remain undisclosed.
Authorities have not yet reported casualties.
The region holds major strategic importance, housing critical defence infrastructure such as airbases and sensitive nuclear facilities, including Natanz Nuclear Facility.
According to reports, one of the primary targets was a major ammunition depot, indicating a deliberate effort to degrade Iran’s military capabilities.
Regional Tensions Deepen
The strikes come as the conflict spreads across the region. The United Arab Emirates reportedly faced one of the most intense waves of Iranian attacks since the early phase of the war, raising fears of broader regional instability.
Trump Signals Possible De-escalation
In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested he may be willing to end the war even if the vital Strait of Hormuz remains partially closed a shift that could leave control of the key oil route contested.
Officials indicate that reopening the chokepoint could require a prolonged and complex military effort, potentially extending beyond the administration’s preferred timeline.
Iran Rejects Negotiations
Meanwhile, Tehran has firmly denied claims of ongoing negotiations with Washington. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei dismissed U.S. assertions of progress, calling proposed terms “non-starters” that undermine Iran’s sovereignty.
Iranian officials say indirect messages have been exchanged, but insist their priority remains national defence rather than diplomacy. In a show of continued resistance, Iran announced its 87th wave of missile and drone operations, reportedly involving naval forces a move seen as a direct rebuttal to U.S. claims that Iran’s naval capabilities had been significantly weakened.
