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An Iranian aircraft was destroyed in a fresh missile attack. Photo: Videograb from X.

Parked Iranian aircraft destroyed at Bushehr as US-Israel strikes intensify: Report

| @indiablooms | Mar 03, 2026, at 11:30 pm

An Iranian aircraft was destroyed on the ground at Bushehr Airport during a fresh wave of military strikes, Iranian media reported on Tuesday, as hostilities between Iran and a joint US-Israeli coalition escalated sharply.

The strikes are part of an ongoing operation by the United States and Israel targeting Iranian military and strategic assets.

The campaign followed the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and coordinated attacks on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command centres, missile facilities, air defence systems and leadership compounds.

Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported that Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran was also struck. Images released by the agency showed thick grey smoke rising near what appeared to be a runway.

“The American-Zionist terrorists attacked the area around the Mehrabad airport,” the agency said.

Beginning Saturday afternoon (India time), US-Israeli forces reportedly launched ballistic missiles, including Tomahawk cruise missiles from warships in the Persian Gulf, and carried out air strikes using advanced stealth fighters such as the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.

Iran responded with a barrage of missiles and suicide unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks, with its Shahed drones playing a central role.

The strikes targeted Israeli and US military installations as well as sites in neighbouring Gulf states.

On the first day of the escalation, Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in a strike on his compound in central Tehran.

US President Donald Trump later declared, “I got him before he got me,” in remarks referencing the operation.

Iran has since intensified missile and drone attacks on US-linked targets, including embassies and military bases, while issuing strong warnings of further retaliation.

Missiles continued to strike locations across Gulf countries late Tuesday.

The spiralling conflict has raised fears of a broader regional war, particularly after Iran moved to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy choke point through which roughly 20 million barrels of crude oil pass daily.

Analysts warn that prolonged disruption could have severe consequences for global energy markets and regional stability.

 

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