On Saturday, the Israeli military announced that it had executed an airstrike targeting Tehran's Mehrabad Airport, which it claimed was a strategic hub for transporting weapons and financial support to militant organizations throughout the Middle East, particularly Hezbollah in Lebanon. The attack reportedly led to significant destruction, including the destruction of 16 aircraft and several Iranian fighter jets, as local footage illustrated with images of billowing smoke and flames over the city skyline.

In addition to the airport strike, Israel also targeted Iranian oil depots and refining facilities in Tehran in subsequent strikes, marking the first time such crucial infrastructure has been attacked during the ongoing conflict. The assaults resulted in large fires throughout the city and substantial smoke obscuring visibility, intensifying concerns over the potential for increased escalation in the region.

The air strikes come amidst an already volatile situation, with both Israel and Iran exchanging threats and accusations regarding military provocations. While there was no immediate acknowledgment or reporting of these military actions from Iran's state media, the operation reflects Israel's ongoing strategy to preemptively disrupt Iranian military capabilities and hinder the support for proxy groups across the Middle East.