Washington/ Tehran, March 6 (UNI) Tehran and other Iranian cities faced relentless airstrikes on the seventh day of the US–Israeli campaign, as United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned the bombardment was “about to surge dramatically.”
In a striking escalation, Iran responded with a major combined attack on Israel, firing UAVs and Kheibar missiles at targets in Tel Aviv, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). “The 21st wave of Operation True Promise 4 has begun,” the IRGC said in a statement quoted by ISNA.
Meanwhile, Israel’s military announced a fresh “broad-scale wave of strikes” on Tehran, and the US confirmed that B-2 stealth bombers had hit deeply buried ballistic missile launchers with dozens of powerful “penetrator” bombs.
Massive explosions rocked Tehran overnight, hitting residential neighborhoods and areas near Tehran University, according to Al Jazeera. An Iranian military academy was also struck.
The attacks were heavier than in previous days, particularly in the east and southeast of the city. Explosions were also reported near Kermanshah, home to multiple missile bases, as well as in Shiraz and Isfahan. Israel’s military said its strikes had destroyed most of Iran’s air defenses and missile launchers.
Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, said B-2 bombers had hit deeply buried missile launch sites and Iran’s “Space Command,” weakening Tehran’s ability to threaten US forces. Hegseth signaled a further escalation: “It’s more fighter squadrons, more capabilities, more defensive systems, and more frequent bomber pulses,” he said.
The human toll continues to rise. Iranian state media report at least 1,230 dead since the attacks began, including 181 children, according to UNICEF. Among them were 175 girls killed when a school in Minab, southern Iran, was hit on the first day of strikes. UNI AAB
