2 killed in Israeli strike on ambulance in NW Iran: local media

TEHRAN -- An Israeli airstrike struck an ambulance in Iran's West Azerbaijan province, killing two people, Iranian media reported on Saturday.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency said the vehicle was "deliberately targeted" while carrying out humanitarian operations. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

Separately, Iranian authorities said 16 people were arrested in the central province of Isfahan on charges of supporting Israel and spreading propaganda, Tasnim reported.

The detainees were accused of actions including "disrupting public opinion in cyberspace" and engaging in activities deemed supportive of Israel. Under Iranian law, collaboration with Israeli entities is a criminal offense and carries severe penalties.

The reported incidents come amid a surge in hostilities following Israeli airstrikes launched early Friday that hit targets across Iran, including in the capital Tehran. Iranian state media said several senior military officials and nuclear scientists were killed in the attacks.

In retaliation, Iran has fired multiple ballistic missiles at Israeli military positions since Friday night, with cross-border exchanges continuing into Saturday.