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Israel conducted extensive airstrikes across Tehran on Monday, targeting government and military installations in what Defense Minister Israel Katz described as strikes "with unprecedented force" against Iranian regime targets.
The Israeli military said the attacks focused on the headquarters of the Basij paramilitary organization, which operates under Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the Evin Prison in northwest Tehran, where political prisoners are detained.
The Times of Israel reported that the prison was targeted to enable prisoner escapes.
"The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is currently striking regime targets and oppressive government bodies in the heart of Tehran with unprecedented force," Katz said in a statement.
Army spokesman Efi Defrin said Israeli Air Force planes were "deepening strikes in the Tehran area, focusing on Revolutionary Guards headquarters." He added that forces "attacked two missile launchers in central Iran that were ready for immediate launch."
Explosions echoed through the Iranian capital, according to an Anadolu news agency reporter in Tehran. The Israeli military said it fired over 100 projectiles at locations across Tehran over two hours on Monday.
The strikes also hit multiple military command centers belonging to the Iranian government and the IRGC's Sayyed al-Shuhada Corps, as well as the General Intelligence Directorate of the Internal Security Forces, according to Israeli military statements.
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The escalation followed Iran's launch of missiles into central and northern Israel earlier Monday, marking the latest exchange in an intensifying conflict between the regional rivals.
Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that a Red Crescent Society building was among the structures targeted in the Israeli attacks.
The aerial combat between Israel and Iran began on June 13 when Israel conducted what it called a surprise attack on Iranian sites, including military and nuclear facilities.
Iran responded with retaliatory strikes, establishing a pattern of tit-for-tat attacks.
Israeli authorities report at least 25 deaths and hundreds of injuries from Iranian missile attacks since the conflict began.
Iran's Health Ministry says Israeli strikes have killed at least 430 people and wounded over 3,500 in the country.
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