TEHRAN, Iran – The United States and Israel significantly escalated their month-long military campaign across Iran on Friday, March 28, 2026, launching renewed airstrikes that targeted a nuclear power plant, multiple universities, and naval infrastructure. The intensified bombardments in Tehran, Bushehr, and Isfahan, coupled with continued heavy military presence on Iranian streets, signal a deepening conflict with no immediate resolution and mounting concerns over a potential ground invasion.
Heavily armed Iranian state forces maintained a visible and assertive control over the streets of Tehran, operating numerous checkpoints, roadblocks, and patrols. These forces, some masked and wielding assault rifles and machine guns mounted on pickup trucks, have become a common sight in the capital as the nation braces for further escalation.
In a critical development, the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant area was attacked for the third time since February 28. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) reported that a projectile struck near the facility on Friday, though no casualties, damage, or technical failures were reported. The AEOI vehemently condemned the strikes, asserting that "attacks on civilian nuclear infrastructure violate all norms of international law and endanger regional security." Previous strikes on the Bushehr area occurred on March 17 and March 24. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had previously confirmed that a structure 350 meters from the Bushehr NPP reactor was hit and destroyed on March 17, emphasizing that any attack near nuclear power plants violates safety and security pillars. Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom, which operates the plant, has already evacuated a significant portion of its personnel and warned of a "worst-case scenario" amidst the intensifying attacks.
The academic sector also bore the brunt of the latest strikes. Iran University of Science and Technology in Tehran came under attack, according to Mehr news agency. No casualties or damage were immediately reported there. Separately, intense early morning US-Israeli airstrikes in Tehran and Isfahan resulted in black smoke rising over both cities, with Tehran’s Amirkabir University appearing to have suffered significant damage. This follows a March 6 US-Israeli strike on Isfahan University of Technology which caused material damage but no casualties, prompting the university to condemn attacks on academic institutions as violations of international law. The targeting of universities raises serious concerns regarding the expanding scope of military operations to civilian academic institutions, which are protected under international humanitarian law.
Beyond educational facilities, several enterprises belonging to the Iranian Navy in Tehran were reportedly attacked. Al Hadath TV channel further reported at least five powerful explosions in Karaj, a northern suburb of Tehran, indicating strikes on Iranian Navy infrastructure in the area.
The broader conflict, which commenced on February 28, has seen US and Israeli forces conduct a wide-scale aerial offensive across Iran. Iran has retaliated with missile and drone strikes targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict are ongoing, with Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt facilitating communications between Washington and Tehran. However, Iranian officials have described a US peace proposal as "one-sided and unfair," focusing instead on the continued military actions as a sign of Washington's sincerity.
The human cost of the conflict remains significant. A consortium of human rights groups reported on Friday that nearly 1,500 Iranian civilians, including at least 217 children, have been killed in US and Israeli strikes since the war began. These figures are considered "verified minimums" and are expected to rise. The report highlighted strikes on schools, hospitals, and other non-military infrastructure.
Adding another layer to the conflict, an Iran-linked group, Handala HackTeam, claimed responsibility on March 27 for hacking the personal email account of FBI Director Kash Patel, leaking photos and documents online. The FBI confirmed awareness of the targeting but stated the information was "historical in nature and involves no government information." Cybersecurity experts view this as part of Iran's strategy to embarrass US officials and create a sense of vulnerability.
As the war enters its second month, the targeting of a nuclear facility, educational institutions, and naval sites underscores a significant escalation in the US-Israeli campaign, aiming to degrade Iran's capabilities across multiple domains. The persistent military presence on the ground in Iran and the continuous diplomatic stalemate suggest a protracted conflict with severe regional and international implications, demanding urgent attention to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe and widespread destabilization.
ISN MEDIA
