A US military base in Syria's Hasakah province was attacked on Sunday, hours after three nuclear facilities within Iran were hit by American air strikes, as a fast-expanding conflict in the Middle East gathers momentum.
Iranian state-run Mehr News Agency reported that the attack involved mortar fire and was believed to have been carried out by Iran-backed proxy militias.
The attack appears to be a retaliatory measure in response to the US air strikes reportedly authorised by President Donald Trump. Tehran had previously warned that US military facilities in the region would become "legitimate targets" if Washington escalated operations.
The development marks a sharp escalation in hostilities between Iran and Western nations, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
Simultaneously, Israel has launched what it described as a major offensive against regime-linked infrastructure in Tehran and other key Iranian cities. Hundreds of members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were reportedly killed in Israeli raids on 23 June.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed attacks on several strategic sites, including the Basij headquarters and Evin Prison in Tehran — a facility notorious for holding political prisoners and dual nationals.
Defence Minister Israel Katz said the IDF had targeted state repression institutions, the Revolutionary Guard’s internal security command, and symbolic locations such as the "Destruction of Israel" clock in Palestine Square.
"In line with instructions from Prime Minister Netanyahu and myself, the IDF is currently striking with unprecedented intensity regime elements and government oppression bodies deep within Tehran," Katz said. "For each Iranian shot fired at the Israeli home front, the Iranian dictator will pay."
He added that Israeli forces would continue operations "with full force" until all military objectives are achieved.
The IRGC and its paramilitary wing, the Basij, are designated as terrorist organisations by the United States.
According to Israeli military sources, the strikes targeted IRGC assets including the Alborz Corps and Tharallah headquarters — the latter responsible for protecting Tehran from internal threats.
The IDF also reported new air strikes across cities in northern and western Iran, including Tabriz, Kermanshah, Karaj, and Tehran itself. Among the targets was the IRGC’s main garrison in the capital.
Iran’s state television confirmed that explosions had been heard in both Tehran and Karaj, and that the entrance gate of Evin Prison had been hit in the assault.
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