ISFAHAN, Iran — Heavy plumes of fire and smoke billowed over central Iran on Wednesday as verified footage confirmed a series of devastating air strikes targeting a strategic missile base near Isfahan. The strikes come as the U.S. and Israel ramp up “Operation Epic Fury,” a joint military campaign aimed at dismantling Tehran’s ballistic capabilities.
Secondary Blasts Signal Major Hits
Video footage authenticated by military analysts shows the Isfahan South missile base—a facility nestled within a mountain range—engulfed in flames. One clip captured the moment a primary strike triggered massive secondary explosions, indicating that significant stockpiles of explosive material or fueled missiles were detonated.
In the nearby town of Baharestan, residents recorded the base burning for several minutes. Debris from the facility was seen being repeatedly hurled into the air, with some fragments landing in the surrounding mountains and others falling toward civilian outskirts.
“Hit Hard”: Karaj Under Fire
Reports of heavy bombardment are not limited to Isfahan. Residents in Karaj, a critical industrial city west of Tehran, told reporters they have been “hit hard” throughout the day.
“The fighter jets are passing directly over our homes,” one source in Tehran stated, describing the roar of engines that has become a constant soundtrack to the conflict. Iranian state-aligned outlets have confirmed strikes in Karaj, though they remain silent on the extent of the damage to military infrastructure.
Trump: “Extremely Hard” Strikes to Continue
The escalation follows a defiant Wednesday night address from President Donald Trump. Speaking from the White House, Trump signaled that the U.S. military is nearing its strategic goals but warned that the pressure will not let up.
“We are hitting them extremely hard, and we will continue to hit them until our objectives are met,” Trump said. “The era of Iranian missile blackmail is over. We are well on our way to destroying their manufacturing base, and we expect this to be resolved soon.”
White House officials later clarified that “Operation Epic Fury” aims to “neuter” Iran’s ability to project power through its navy and missile programs “for a very, very long time.”
A Nation in the Dark
As the physical war intensifies, the digital one has reached a grim milestone. Iran’s nationwide internet blackout has now entered its 34th day. According to the monitoring group NetBlocks, connectivity to the outside world remains at just 1% of normal levels.
- Duration: 792+ hours of near-total isolation.
- Humanitarian Concerns: Families remain cut off from news of casualties, arrests, or executions.
- The Starlink Crackdown: While some have turned to satellite internet, the risks are severe. Possessing a Starlink terminal now carries a penalty of up to two years in prison. Iranian authorities claim to have confiscated “hundreds” of devices since the start of the war.
