Israel says it struck IRGC intelligence headquarters in Tehran, Iran.
TEHRAN, Iran — In a major escalation of the “Second Iran War,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, that it has successfully struck the central intelligence and security headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the heart of Tehran.
The precision strike targeted a facility described by the IDF as a “core operational node” used by the regime to synchronize internal security and direct the activities of the Basij paramilitary force.
A Precision Strike in the Capital
The IDF confirmed the operation was carried out by Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets following weeks of intense intelligence gathering. The military emphasized that the headquarters was embedded within civilian infrastructure, a tactic they claim the IRGC uses to shield its leadership from accountability.+1
Key details of the operation include:
- Target: The IRGC’s Main Security Headquarters, responsible for situational assessments and directing Basij units.
- Secondary Targets: A separate headquarters belonging to the Iran Intelligence Ministry and the IRGC Aerospace Force headquarters were also hit.
- Objective: To degrade the regime’s ability to suppress domestic unrest and manage field operations.
- Collateral: While the IDF reported using precision munitions to limit civilian casualties, local reports showed significant damage to residential buildings in the vicinity.
The “Second Iran War” Context
The strike marks Day 25 of a conflict that began with preemptive U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2024. The campaign, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury” by CENTCOM and “Roaring Lion” by Israel, has systematically targeted Iran’s command-and-control infrastructure.
| Conflict Status (March 24, 2026) | Details |
| Total Targets Struck | Over 8,000 (including 130+ naval vessels) |
| Missile Capability | ~70% of Iran’s ballistic launchers destroyed |
| Leadership | Mojtaba Khamenei installed as Supreme Leader; Mohammad Baqer Zolghadr named new Security Chief |
| U.S. Stance | 5-day “tactical pause” on energy infrastructure only |
Diplomatic Brinkmanship and the Trump Ultimatum
The strike occurred despite a delicate diplomatic window. U.S. President Donald Trump recently issued a five-day ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face the “obliteration” of its power plants.
While Trump cited “productive” indirect talks through mediators in Pakistan and Turkey, Israel has maintained a high tempo of military operations. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that strikes on military command centers will continue regardless of pauses on energy targets, signaling a “strategy of total degradation.”
Retaliation and Regional Fallout
Tehran responded to the Tehran strikes with a fresh barrage of ballistic missiles and drones.
- Tel Aviv: A direct hit on a residential building in an upscale neighborhood caused several injuries.
- Gulf States: The UAE intercepted 5 ballistic missiles and 17 UAVs today, while a Moroccan contractor for the Emirati military was killed in an attack in Bahrain.
- Lebanon: Relations have completely severed, with Lebanon declaring Iran’s ambassador persona non grata and ordering his departure by Sunday.
What’s Next?
All eyes are on the Friday deadline of the U.S. ultimatum. If the IRGC does not yield control of the Strait of Hormuz, the conflict is expected to enter a “total infrastructure phase” involving the destruction of Iran’s national electrical grid.