Two Israeli officials told CNN on Monday (March 2) that as the United States and Israel increase their airstrikes on Iran, it is expected that Iran’s ability to launch ballistic missiles will be severely crippled within the next 24 hours.
The officials stated that by Tuesday evening, the frequency of Iran’s missile launches is expected to decrease, and the number of missiles directed towards Israel will also reduce.
Within the first three days of the joint US-Israeli military operation, over 1,200 Iranian targets have been hit. Israeli officials said that the continued strikes on Monday are expected to last into the night, and if this momentum continues, the number of targeted strikes by Tuesday is expected to double.
One official mentioned that the airstrikes conducted by the US and Israel on Monday night are expected to primarily target Iran’s missile launch sites, internal security forces, and Revolutionary Guard targets.
US and Israeli officials repeatedly emphasized on Monday that the speed and effectiveness of the airstrikes on Iran have exceeded expectations thus far.
The Israeli military announced on Monday that they conducted additional airstrikes in the Iranian capital, Tehran, targeting dozens of objectives belonging to the Iranian regime and its intelligence agencies. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) mentioned in a statement that the targets of the airstrikes were “headquarters, bases, and regional command centers of the internal security apparatus of the Iranian terrorist regime.” The IDF stated that these institutions are responsible for suppressing protests against the Iranian regime, including using violent attacks and arresting civilians.
“By targeting these bases, it will further weaken the regime’s ability to suppress dissent,” the statement said.
The IDF further stated that they also targeted over 10 locations affiliated with Iran’s intelligence agency, which is a major intelligence institution of the regime. As part of the airstrikes, the Israeli Air Force also hit Iran’s ballistic missile launch sites, weapon production facilities, and other Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps facilities.
Additionally, the Israeli military targeted a command center of the Quds Force of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, where soldiers were gathered.
A report from the Fars News Agency, affiliated with the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, mentioned multiple explosions in Tehran, with initial reports indicating that the parliament building was hit by airstrikes on Monday night. The state-owned Iranian media IRIB confirmed that their headquarters in Tehran was targeted in the airstrikes.