The recent U.S.-Israeli military operations in Iran have expanded beyond the capital, Tehran, targeting key cities in the northwest, including Tabriz and Kermanshah. This escalation signifies a shift in strategy, indicating that the operations are not limited to symbolic sites but are aimed at what Tehran refers to as the country's 'defense depth.' U.S. President Donald Trump announced these 'extensive operations,' which have been confirmed by Israeli sources, as Iranian media reports explosions in several cities, including Tehran, Qom, Isfahan, and Kermanshah, before reaching Tabriz.

In Tabriz, the largest city in the northwest, the explosions represent a significant concern, given the city's status as a military and missile support center. The region serves as a critical border gateway linking Turkey to Iraq, making it a strategic target in the broader geopolitical landscape. Al Jazeera's Tehran bureau chief, Nourddine Daghir, noted that the scene in Tehran was marked by numerous explosions, suggesting the use of precise missile strikes targeting key governmental and sovereign institutions in the heart of the Iranian capital, rather than direct aerial incursions.

The implications of these strikes extend beyond immediate military concerns, highlighting the vulnerability of Iran's northern regions and the complex interplay of regional security dynamics. The targeting of Tabriz suggests an intention to undermine Iran's military capabilities and asserts U.S.-Israeli interests in reshaping the strategic balance in the Middle East, raising tensions further and posing questions about the potential for escalated conflict in the region.