The Israeli Air Force has initiated retaliatory strikes against the IRGC Aerospace Force’s recent ballistic missile attacks, targeting multiple military installations in and around Tabriz, northwestern Iran.
While Iranian state-linked media initially attributed the sounds near Tabriz Airport to air defense activity, eyewitnesses across the city reported a series of powerful detonations between 23:55 and 00:30 local time.
According to local residents, the sheer force and acoustic signature of the blasts indicated ground impacts rather than mid-air interceptions.
The strikes reportedly hit close to the Ashura Division compound, an area previously targeted during the earlier phases of the conflict that began in late February 2026. The compound serves as a critical node for IRGC operations in the region.
Recent escalations mark a continuation of intense military exchanges. Reports from The New Arab over the past 24 hours indicate that Tabriz and other major Iranian cities have been subjected to significant aerial bombardment, with blast waves shaking residential areas and prompting citizens to seek shelter
The ongoing operations underscore the strategic focus on dismantling IRGC military infrastructure, including aerospace and missile launch capabilities concentrated in the northwestern sectors of the country.