Tel Aviv/Tehran: The ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran intensified on Monday as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the interception of more than 100 Iranian UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) launched towards Israeli territory.
“Iran sent more than 100 UAVs at Israel. We intercepted them,” the IDF stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Israeli Strikes Target Deep Iranian Sites
Meanwhile, Israeli forces expanded their offensive inside Iran, striking key targets including an Iranian refueling aircraft at Mashhad Airport, located approximately 2,300 kilometers from Israel—marking the longest-range strike since the launch of Operation Rising Lion.
“The IAF struck an Iranian refueling aircraft at Mashhad Airport in eastern Iran, approximately 2,300 kilometers from Israel. The IAF is operating to establish aerial superiority over Iranian airspace,” said the IDF.
Israeli strikes were also reported in the Parchin region, a key military zone, as Iranian air defense systems activated in response. Iranian state-linked Mehr News Agency released video footage showing defense operations in the area.
The IDF further confirmed attacks on surface-to-surface missile launch sites in central Iran, with the Israeli Home Front Command advising residents to stay near shelters in anticipation of a potential Iranian missile barrage.
“All Israelis are targets for the Iranian regime. All Israelis are heroes to us,” the IDF said, underlining its belief that Iran is indiscriminately targeting Israeli civilians.
Reports of Israeli Drone Factories Inside Iran
In a significant revelation, Iranian security forces reportedly uncovered a three-story Israeli drone factory within Iran, according to semi-official IRGC-linked Tasnim News Agency, cited by The Times of Israel. Tehran suspects additional such sites may exist and has launched operations to neutralize them.
Earlier strikes by Israel on Friday employed explosive-laden quadcopters, rockets, and precision equipment—some of which were smuggled into Iran, not domestically produced, according to sources quoted by The Wall Street Journal.
Multi-Front Conflict Continues
The IDF also confirmed renewed hostilities on other fronts, reporting that Hamas launched projectiles from southern Gaza, triggering air raid sirens in southern Israel.
“Reminder: We are still in a multi-front war,” the IDF stated.
As tensions escalate, Israeli television reports suggest that the air force’s operations aim to pre-empt Iran’s anticipated missile retaliation, maintaining aerial superiority and reducing the threat to Israeli territory.