Massive Overnight Airstrikes Rock Multiple Iranian Cities

Massive Overnight Airstrikes Rock Multiple Iranian Cities

A massive, coordinated wave of aerial bombardments and fighter jet activity struck targets across Iran from late Thursday, March 12, into the early hours of Friday, March 13. Widespread citizen reports compiled by Vahid Online, a crowdsourced citizen journalism channel known for amplifying uncensored grassroots accounts, and Iran International, an exiled opposition news network, describe unprecedented explosions and continuous fighter jet activity over major cities including Tehran, Isfahan, Kashan, and Ahvaz.

Heavy Bombardment of Tehran The capital city faced relentless strikes beginning late Thursday and intensifying dramatically toward Friday morning. According to Iran International, early blasts shattered windows in the Moniriyeh area, while air defenses and drones were active over northern and eastern districts like Pasdaran and Babayi. The attacks escalated significantly around 02:00 AM on Friday. One citizen reported, "Right now in Parchin 41 explosion sounds came in 7 minutes," while another noted approximately 30 consecutive missiles striking the Malard and Fardis areas, according to Vahid Online.

Between 04:40 and 05:30 AM, residents across Tehran reported deep, earth-shaking blasts that felt like an earthquake. Citizens expressed sheer terror at the intensity of the prolonged attack, with one witness stating, "It is completely strange and weird, they are ploughing," per Vahid Online. Residents speculated about the use of heavy bunker-buster munitions or strategic bombers, noting the deep, structural vibrations that violently shook buildings across the capital.

Strikes in Kashan and Isfahan Central Iran also sustained heavy hits. In Kashan, residents reported hearing up to 12 massive explosions between 04:00 and 04:18 AM alongside low-flying fighter jets. A local stated, "They had never hit Kashan like this before," according to Vahid Online. The same post relayed a message from a state-affiliated channel claiming the sound was related to the impact of an enemy fighter missile on a shed in the Fath ol-Mobin town limits, which had left two injured. In Isfahan, continuous jet activity and multiple explosions were reported starting at 00:24 AM, with one message describing a precision strike on a house in Vilashahr, according to Vahid Online. Ahvaz and Western Provinces The southern city of Ahvaz was targeted around 06:50 AM, experiencing five to six severe explosions that shook residential blocks. A local resident noted, "Ahvaz had never been hit like this before," according to Vahid Online. Earlier in the night, starting around 23:00 on Thursday, Iran International reported the persistent roar of fighter jets and heavy blasts in Arak—specifically near the Hepco facility and the city center—as well as in Karaj and Hamedan.