Explosions rock Tehran as Israeli strikes continue for 5th day

TEHRAN -- Two loud explosions were heard in central and northern Tehran on Tuesday, local eyewitnesses reported, as Israel continued its bombardment of the Iranian capital for a fifth consecutive day.

There was no immediate information on the cause or exact locations of the blasts.

Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on social media platform X that Iran's Natanz site, which contains the Fuel Enrichment Plant and the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, was hit amid Israeli strikes.

"Based on continued analysis of high resolution satellite imagery collected after Friday's attacks, the IAEA has identified additional elements that indicate direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls at Natanz," it said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Israeli Air Force would target "very significant targets, strategic targets, targets of the regime and infrastructure" in Tehran. He added that evacuation warnings would be issued to residents near the strike zones.

Speaking about Iran's nuclear program, Katz said the underground Fordow facility remains "an issue that will certainly be addressed." He claimed that Israeli forces are "on the verge of destroying" more than 10 nuclear-related sites in Tehran, citing the Israeli Air Force's aerial superiority in the region.

Separately, a fire broke out Tuesday at the headquarters of Iranian state television in Tehran, the broadcaster said, following an Israeli strike a day earlier that severely damaged the building and killed three people.

"The smoke seen at the Iranian radio and television building is due to a fire that reignited because of the wind," state television reported.

The deadly aerial conflict between the Islamic Republic and Israel has entered its fifth day, with at least 244 people killed in Iran and 24 in Israel. The escalation was triggered by Israel's surprise airstrikes across Iran on Friday.