Israel strikes targets across Iran as defence minister vows offensive will continue ‘with full force’

IDF hits missile sites as Iranian commanders vow fight until 'complete victory'
PUBLISHED 1 HOUR AGO
A firefighter sprays water on smoldering rubble as a bulldozer removes debris from a residential building hit in an earlier US-Israeli airstrike in Tehran, Iran, on Monday, March 23, 2026 (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
A firefighter sprays water on smoldering rubble as a bulldozer removes debris from a residential building hit in an earlier US-Israeli airstrike in Tehran, Iran, on Monday, March 23, 2026 (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

TEHRAN, IRAN: Israel launched another wave of strikes across Iran on Tuesday, March 24, escalating its military campaign after Defence Minister Israel Katz said operations would continue “with full force.”

The Israeli military said it hit regime-linked production facilities, including targets in Isfahan, a city that is home to one of Iran’s key nuclear sites. 

Iranian Red Crescent emergency workers use a bulldozer to clear rubble from a residential building that was hit in an earlier U.S.-Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, Monday, March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Iranian Red Crescent emergency workers use a bulldozer to clear rubble from a residential building that was hit in an earlier US-Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, Monday, March 23, 2026 (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Israel targets Isfahan and missile infrastructure

The Israel Defense Forces said the latest attacks were part of a continuing effort to degrade Iran’s ballistic missile manufacturing network and broader defence industrial base.

Earlier, the IDF said it had also struck missile sites in western and central Iran over the past 24 hours, along with locations tied to Tehran’s Intelligence Ministry.

Israeli security forces and rescue teams inspect the site of an Iranian missile strike in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Israeli security forces and rescue teams inspect the site of an Iranian missile strike in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, March 24, 2026 (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Iran threatens retaliation against Israeli forces

The fresh strikes came amid intensifying rhetoric from both sides, with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warning that it would target Israeli military positions in Gaza and northern Israel if what it called “crimes against civilians in Lebanon and Palestine continue.”

In a statement, the IRGC said “gathering places” of “enemy forces” would face “heavy missile and drone attacks.” It also accused the Israeli military of exploiting the regional conflict to carry out “war crimes” against Palestinian and Lebanese civilians.

Israeli security forces and rescue team respond at the site of an Iranian missile strike in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Israeli security forces and rescue team respond at the site of an Iranian missile strike in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, March 24, 2026 (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Tehran vows to press war until ‘complete victory’

Iranian military leaders, meanwhile, signalled that Tehran does not intend to back down. According to the semiofficial Fars news agency, Maj Gen Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, commander at the Khatam-al Anbiya Central

Headquarters, said Iran would continue its war against the United States and Israel until it achieved what he described as “complete victory.”

Aliabadi derided the United States as a “hollow” power that had been “brought down in front of the world” and was now “trying to escape from the war” it had started.

“The American president, Trump, after realising the situation and becoming stuck in the war, has lost hope in his goals and is now seeking help from other countries to get out, which is a historic moment and a great honour for the Iranian people,” Aliabadi was quoted as saying by Fars.

He added that Iran’s armed forces remained committed to following Supreme Leader and commander-in-chief Mojtaba Khamenei, and would stay on what he called a “proud path” until victory was achieved.

Aliabadi did not spell out what Tehran meant by “complete victory” over the US and Israel, but his remarks underlined Iran’s defiant posture as Israeli strikes continued to hit sites across the country.

RELATED TOPICS US STRIKES IRAN

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Netanyahu says campaign will continue until Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities are eliminated
20 hours ago
Tehran signals retaliation targeting regional infrastructure amid rising tensions
23 hours ago
Israeli strikes came moments after Trump said that US had constructive discussions with Iran that could lead to a 'complete and total resolution' of hostilities
1 day ago
'European allies and partners all over the world have used the last couple of weeks to make sure that we come together,' Mark Rutte said
1 day ago
'The Republic of Iran did not start this war, but it will not hesitate in defending its people and its land', Iran's First VP Mohammad Reza Aref said
1 day ago
The Pope said spiritual solidarity and diplomacy were key to ending violence and rebuilding trust between conflicting sides
2 days ago
Tehran warns it will strike regional energy, IT, and desalination sites if the US attacks
2 days ago
Netanyahu praises rescue forces for their efforts as more than 100 are reported injured after Iranian strikes on Israeli cities of Dimona and Arad.
2 days ago
The UAE and Australia's support boosted international efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz for global oil trade amid rising tensions
2 days ago
New strike on Natanz follows presidential claims of total destruction amid oil sanctions shift
3 days ago