Watch: Devastation on Tehran street after strike

Iran’s capital, Tehran, remains under attack following the US-Israel joint operation launched on February 28. The conflict has intensified, with new strikes reported in the days since. Meanwhile, Gulf nations like Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan have confirmed they are intercepting missiles launched from Iran toward US military installations on their soil.

British Woman Detained by Iran

A British woman held in Iranian custody shared her experience during a prison visit, describing the emotional toll of detention. She expressed difficulty in staying hopeful, just hours before her and her husband were handed 10-year espionage sentences. This comes as Lyse Doucet, the BBC’s Iran correspondent, returns to the country for the first time since the suppression of nationwide anti-government demonstrations.

“It was hard to remain positive in prison,” she said, highlighting the lingering trauma amid the crackdown.

Protests and Human Toll

Anti-government protests in Iran, now entering their 13th consecutive night, have sparked widespread unrest. The demonstrations, initially sparked by economic grievances, have escalated into one of the largest movements in recent years. On Thursday, the protests reached their broadest reach since the movement began on December 28. BBC Verify has analyzed grim footage from a Tehran mortuary, revealing the aftermath of a deadly strike. These images may provide critical insights into the scale of casualties and the impact of the violence.

Regional Reports and Warnings

Despite a three-month ceasefire, aid to Gaza is still deemed inadequate by the UN, with humanitarian leaders urging more support. In the Kurdish-controlled regions, over 34,000 family members of suspected IS fighters are held in camps, alongside approximately 8,000 detainees. BBC Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega is monitoring the Iranian-Armenian border, where internet disruptions persist. He has been a vocal advocate for the continuation of protests against Iran’s authoritarian rule. Relatives of Erfan Soltani, a detainee arrested last week, told BBC Persian he is scheduled for execution on Wednesday.

Sound of Confrontation

John Sudworth, a BBC reporter, captured the unsettling sounds of heavy machinery in the area, underscoring the persistent tension. Hugo Bachega also speaks with Syrians about their lives post-revolution, illustrating the broader regional context of unrest. In a separate development, the vehicle that once transported Pope Francis during his 2014 visit to Bethlehem has resurfaced in news. A UN humanitarian chief warned that 14,000 infants could perish within 48 hours if aid fails to arrive.

As the situation evolves, the BBC continues to report on the ground, offering a window into the human stories and geopolitical stakes shaping Iran’s current turmoil.