The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Saturday, March 7, 2026, that it conducted a major wave of airstrikes on Iranian military infrastructure, including the Imam Hossein University in Tehran, which is affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
According to the IDF statement, more than 80 Israeli Air Force fighter jets participated in the overnight operation, dropping approximately 230 bombs on targets in Tehran and central Iran. The strikes targeted several key sites: Imam Hossein University, described by the IDF as serving as an "emergency asset" and assembly complex for IRGC forces during the conflict, including a gathering point amid clashes; underground ballistic missile storage facilities with bunkers and launch infrastructure; a missile depot functioning as a command center with hundreds of personnel; and various launch sites in western and central Iran aimed at degrading Iran's ability to fire missiles toward Israel.
The IDF emphasized that Imam Hossein University—long sanctioned by the United States for its IRGC ties and used for training officers—was considered a legitimate military target due to its alleged role in housing military assets and supporting regime operations. The university, which exclusively enrolls Shia Muslims and has deep historical links to Iran's post-revolutionary establishment, was hit as part of efforts to disrupt IRGC command and control.
This latest escalation follows the broader US-Israeli campaign that began on February 28, 2026, with large-scale coordinated strikes on Iranian nuclear-related sites, missile capabilities, naval assets, and leadership targets. Those initial attacks resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, over 150 schoolgirls in collateral damage near a military facility, numerous senior military officials, and a reported total exceeding 1,000 casualties according to Iranian and international sources. Additional strikes have targeted airports (including Mehrabad in Tehran, where IRGC-affiliated aircraft were hit), Quds Force assets used for proxy support like Hezbollah, and other command bunkers.
Iran has responded with repeated barrages of ballistic missiles and drones targeting US military bases and facilities across the region—in Iraq, Syria, Bahrain, Qatar (including Al Udeid), Kuwait, the UAE, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia—as well as Israeli cities such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. These retaliatory strikes have caused US troop casualties (including confirmed deaths in base attacks), civilian damage in Gulf states (ports, residential areas, and infrastructure), and ongoing alerts in Israel. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has described such US-linked sites as "legitimate targets" while apologizing to neighbors and pledging no attacks on their territory unless provoked, aiming to limit spillover.
The conflict, now in its second week, has seen Israel claim significant degradation of Iranian air defenses, achieving partial to near-complete air superiority over key areas, and continued US support in operations focused on missile production, navy, and nuclear infrastructure. US President Donald Trump has warned of further "complete destruction" absent Iran's unconditional surrender, while rejecting characterizations of an endless war or explicit regime-change goals.
Casualties continue to rise on all sides, with economic impacts including sharp oil price increases due to threats to the Strait of Hormuz. Reports also highlight civilian damage in Iran from strikes, including schools, hospitals, and landmarks, as documented by satellite imagery and verified videos. Iranian officials maintain that defensive operations target only aggression sources, while vowing sustained resistance.
The targeting of Imam Hossein University underscores Israel's strategy to strike IRGC-linked institutions perceived as dual-use or directly supporting military efforts, amid internal Iranian leadership challenges under the Interim Council following Khamenei's death. International observers warn of risks for wider regional involvement as exchanges intensify.
