Strikes Hit Iranian Regime Nuclear Site While Gulf States Face Massive Drone Barrage – OpEd


Airstrikes in Tehran, Iran. Credit: PMOI

March 13, 2026 
By Sadegh Pashm-Foroush


March 12, 2026, marked the thirteenth day of the conflict between the Iranian regime, the United States, and Israel. The war, which began on February 28, 2026, saw the death of the regime’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

Faced with mounting domestic pressure and crippling infrastructure destruction, the regime previously issued direct shoot-to-kill orders against protesters while enforcing a near-total internet blackout. Now, as the conflict enters its 13th day, the new supreme leader has voiced unprecedented fears of an explosive public uprising, even as the regime drastically intensifies its regional attacks and endures fresh waves of devastating airstrikes on its military and nuclear facilities.

Roundup of key events on day 13New regime supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued his first written statements, expressing deep concern over explosive public anger while vowing to continue the war.
A new wave of intense US and Israeli airstrikes targeted several Iranian cities, including Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, and Kashan, as well as the “Taleghan” nuclear facility in Parchin.

The Iranian regime expanded and fortified street checkpoints, anticipating domestic unrest and further Israeli drone strikes.

A massive wave of regime drones and missiles targeted multiple Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

Regime proxy forces suffered heavy casualties in Iraq, with over 260 members of the PMF killed, wounded, or missing following heavy airstrikes.

The regime escalated its maritime attacks, targeting multiple commercial ships and oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.

The Indian Prime Minister spoke with the regime’s president to urge dialogue, while the regime’s foreign ministry condemned a new UN Security Council resolution.

New supreme leader expresses fear of public uprising and vows revenge

In his first written remarks since taking power, the regime’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, expressed explicit concern about the explosive anger of the Iranian people. Pleading for internal cohesion, he stated that “unity among all individuals and strata of the nation must not be damaged.”

Framing the regime’s actions as an “effective and regret-inducing defense,” Mojtaba Khamenei insisted that the regime must continue using the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as leverage. He also threatened that “opening other fronts will take place if the state of war continues.” Relying heavily on regional proxy groups to sustain the regime’s survival, he described the “resistance front” as the regime’s “best friends,” adding that Hezbollah and Iraqi proxy forces have come to their aid. Concluding his message, he vowed that the regime “will not give up on revenge.”

Fresh wave of airstrikes targets multiple Iranian cities and nuclear site

On the night of the 12th and into the early hours of Day 13, a widespread new wave of airstrikes hit multiple cities across Iran. Citizen reports indicated that Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, Kashan, and surrounding areas were heavily targeted. Around 4:00 AM on March 12, successive explosions were heard in Parand, Karaj, and Kashan. Residents in Kashan reported multiple blasts that shook homes, accompanied by the sounds of fighter jets overhead.

Explosions were also reported in Arak around 4:00 AM, alongside strikes on the Hasanabad Fashafuyeh and Parand industrial estates. In Ahvaz, multiple explosions and the sound of fighter jets were reported around 6:50 AM. Additionally, a drone strike hit a vehicle on Tehran’s Chamran Highway at approximately 11:30 PM the previous night, completely incinerating the car before firefighters could arrive.

Simultaneously, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) released videos announcing it had targeted the regime’s large military transport aircraft. The Israeli military also declared the start of a “massive wave of attacks” against the regime’s infrastructure in Tehran. Crucially, the Israeli army announced it had struck a nuclear facility near Tehran known as the “Taleghan Complex” in Parchin, which the regime has historically used for the advancement of its nuclear weapons capabilities.

Regime expands street checkpoints amid security fears

Fearing a popular uprising and ongoing military strikes, the Iranian regime has drastically expanded its security checkpoints in the streets. According to a Telegram channel affiliated with the IRGC’s Fars News Agency, a large number of regime loyalists have volunteered to man the checkpoints following Israeli drone strikes on several existing inspection stations. A Basij official announced a change in the street formation of these checkpoints, claiming that a “new mechanism” has been implemented to counter what the regime calls “the enemy’s design to make neighborhoods unsafe.”
Heavy casualties among regime proxy forces in Iraq

The regime’s proxy networks suffered massive losses in Iraq on Thursday. Heavy airstrikes targeted positions of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in the Akashat area in western Iraq, as well as near the city of Kirkuk. Asharq Al-Awsat reported that the strikes hit three bases belonging to the 19th Brigade of the PMF, including a military center, the second battalion, and a support unit. Initial figures indicate staggering casualties: 99 killed, 43 missing, and 123 wounded, with many suffering severe injuries.
Attacks escalate in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz

The Iranian regime has dramatically escalated its efforts to disrupt global shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. According to Al Arabiya, the regime has been using explosive boats and drones to terrorize the strategic waterway. Maritime authorities confirmed that at least two attacks on oil tankers have been carried out by unmanned boats since the war began.


On Thursday, the IRGC explicitly claimed responsibility for an attack on a Marshall Islands-flagged ship named “Safe Sea,” alleging the vessel was American-owned and part of US military assets in the northern Persian Gulf. The IRGC stated the ship was attacked for “ignoring warnings.” The US military has yet to comment on this specific incident.

Additionally, an Iraqi security official told Reuters that explosive boats linked to the Iranian regime attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters, causing fires on board. Security and port authorities confirmed that projectiles hit three commercial ships in the Persian Gulf on Thursday, resulting in the death of one crew member. The government of Thailand also summoned the Iranian regime’s ambassador in Bangkok after a Thai-flagged cargo ship was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz.
Gulf nations and regional targets intercept massive wave of regime missiles and drones

The Iranian regime launched a massive, coordinated barrage of missiles and drones against neighboring Arab nations.Saudi Arabia: The Saudi Defense Ministry intercepted a drone heading toward the Shaybah oil field, as well as a ballistic missile and three drones launched toward the country’s eastern region. A warning was also issued for the Al-Kharj governorate, southeast of Riyadh. Saudi forces later confirmed the interception of six additional drones over the Eastern Region.
United Arab Emirates: The UAE’s Defense Ministry announced its forces engaged with 10 ballistic missiles and 26 drones launched from Iran in a single day.
Qatar: The Qatari Defense Ministry reported intercepting two ballistic missiles, one cruise missile, and a number of drones originating from Iran.
Kuwait: The Kuwaiti army stated it battled a wave of incoming missiles and drones. The country’s civil aviation authority reported that a drone attack on Kuwait International Airport caused damage, though no injuries were reported.
Bahrain: The Interior Ministry activated air raid sirens across the country, urging citizens to remain calm and seek the nearest safe shelter.
United Arab Emirates (Dubai): A drone struck a high-rise building near Dubai Creek, leaving a large hole in the facade. The ensuing fire was contained with no injuries.

Additionally, a missile struck an Italian military base in Erbil, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Italy’s Defense Ministry confirmed that none of its roughly 300 soldiers stationed there were harmed. Meanwhile, the regime’s state-run ISNA and IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency claimed that a US military base in Erbil was targeted and set on fire, and that the US embassy in Riyadh was also targeted.

In cyberspace, Al Arabiya reported that hacker groups linked to the Iranian regime attacked Stryker, an American medical equipment manufacturer.
International reactions and diplomatic fallout

As the regional crisis deepens, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone call with the Iranian regime’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian. Modi expressed his deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives, reiterating India’s commitment to peace and urging dialogue and diplomacy. He noted that the safety of Indian nationals and the unhindered transit of goods and energy remain his top priorities.

Meanwhile, the regime’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, condemned a newly passed United Nations Security Council resolution. The resolution condemned the regime’s attacks on Gulf countries and Jordan. Baghaei falsely claimed the resolution distorts international law and defended the regime’s aggressive actions, baselessly asserting that Tehran “has no intention of violating the sovereignty or territorial integrity of its neighbors.”


Sadegh Pashm-Foroush writes for PMOI/MEK