Israel strikes over 200 targets in Iran as Lebanon operations expand

Friday 13 March 2026 - 11:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Israel strikes over 200 targets in Iran as Lebanon operations expand

Israel’s air force struck more than 200 targets across western and central Iran in the past 24 hours while expanding military operations in Lebanon, marking a sharp escalation on the 13th day of the Middle East conflict.

According to the Israeli military, dozens of fighter jets carried out large scale strike missions guided by intelligence from the Israel Defense Forces. The targets included ballistic missile launchers, air defense systems and weapons production facilities located in several areas of Iran.

The military said it has conducted hundreds of strike sorties since launching Operation Rising Lion on February 28. The campaign aims to reduce missile fire directed toward Israeli territory by targeting key components of Iran’s military infrastructure.

Israeli forces also confirmed the destruction of the Taleghan complex, which Israel claims was used to advance Iran’s nuclear weapons capabilities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a direct warning to Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, suggesting Israel could target him as it had previously done with his father.

The strikes came only hours after Khamenei’s first public address since taking power, in which he vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and continue pressure on Israel and its allies.

The United Nations refugee agency reported that up to 3.2 million people have been displaced inside Iran since the conflict began. Most have fled Tehran and other major cities, moving toward northern provinces and rural areas.

Ayaki Ito, a UNHCR official, said the number of displaced people is expected to rise as hostilities continue. Iranian authorities say more than 1,300 people have been killed in the strikes since the start of the conflict.

At the same time, Israel has widened its military campaign in Lebanon following heavy rocket fire from Hezbollah toward Israeli territory.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said he and Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered the military to prepare for expanded operations. The Israeli army nearly doubled the evacuation zone in southern Lebanon, extending orders beyond the Litani River to the Zahrani River, roughly 40 kilometers north of the Israeli border.

Katz warned that if the Lebanese government fails to control Hezbollah activity and prevent attacks on northern Israeli communities, Israel could take control of territory itself.

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said the operation is expected to be prolonged.

Israeli strikes also hit the Beirut Corniche area, where many displaced residents had gathered after earlier evacuation orders. At least eight people were killed in the attack.

Lebanese authorities report that about 800,000 people have been displaced across Lebanon. At least 630 people have been killed and nearly 1,600 injured since Israeli strikes began on March 2.

The Israeli military also said it has killed several senior Hezbollah and Iranian Revolutionary Guard commanders in recent days, including the commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force operating in southern Lebanon.