In the fourth day of a rapidly escalating military campaign reportedly known as Operation Epic Fury, Israeli forces expanded their strikes deep inside Iran’s capital, Tehran.

Unlike earlier attacks that focused primarily on missile bases and military infrastructure, the newest wave targeted some of the most symbolic institutions of the Iranian state.

Among the sites struck were the old Iranian parliament building and the headquarters of IRIB, Iran’s national television and radio broadcaster.

Both locations represent central pillars of the country’s political system: legislative authority and the state’s control over information.

The strikes occurred within hours of each other and appeared carefully coordinated.

Military analysts describe such targeting as part of a “decapitation strategy.” Rather than focusing solely on weapons or military hardware, the strategy aims to weaken the core structures that allow a government to function during wartime.

By attacking command centers, communication networks, and leadership hubs, an adversary attempts to disrupt decision-making at the highest levels.

Before the strike on the IRIB broadcasting complex, Israeli forces reportedly issued evacuation warnings to residents in the surrounding Evin district of Tehran.

The area is known not only as a residential neighborhood but also as the location of Evin Prison, a facility long associated with the detention of political prisoners, journalists, and dissidents.

Shortly after the warnings were issued, the strike followed.

Iran’s state television signal went off the air soon afterward, marking a significant disruption to the government’s primary communication channel with the public.

In times of national crisis, state broadcasters play a crucial role in shaping public perception, delivering official updates, and maintaining the appearance of political stability.

With the network temporarily silenced, the government’s ability to control the national narrative became far more difficult.

Meanwhile, reports from multiple sources suggest that the leadership structure within Tehran has been severely shaken.

Claims have circulated that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the opening phase of the operation, though such reports remain disputed and unconfirmed by many international outlets.

If accurate, the loss of the country’s highest authority would represent one of the most dramatic leadership disruptions in modern Middle Eastern history.

Other senior officials are reportedly being targeted as well, including Defense Minister Aziz Nasir Zadeh and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohammad Pakpour.

The apparent objective, according to analysts examining the campaign, is to dismantle Iran’s remaining command structure and prevent coordinated military response.

When a nation loses multiple senior leaders in a short time span, the chain of command can quickly become unstable.

Orders may conflict, communication networks may break down, and decision-making authority can become unclear.

Such conditions often create confusion during wartime operations.

The humanitarian impact of the strikes has also been significant.

Iran’s Red Crescent Society reported that at least 787 people had been killed during the first four days of the campaign.

According to the organization, more than 130 cities across the country experienced some form of attack.

Because the Red Crescent focuses primarily on civilian casualties, analysts believe the number of military losses may be higher.

Some of the most powerful weapons reportedly used in the campaign target underground military facilities.

The United States has confirmed that B-2 Spirit stealth bombers were deployed to strike hardened ballistic-missile infrastructure.

These aircraft are designed to evade radar detection and deliver specialized munitions against deeply buried targets.

Among those weapons is the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a bunker-busting bomb capable of penetrating up to 60 feet of reinforced concrete before detonating.

Iran’s missile production and storage facilities have long been constructed underground to protect them from air attacks.

The deployment of such weapons suggests that the campaign aims to neutralize these hardened installations.

In Washington, U.S. officials have indicated that the operation may extend for several weeks.

Speaking at a White House event, President Donald Trump reportedly stated that the initial operational timeline could last four to five weeks, with the possibility of continuing longer if necessary.

According to his remarks, the objectives include the destruction of Iran’s ballistic missile infrastructure and the termination of its nuclear program.

Those goals suggest a campaign that could go far beyond limited military strikes.

At the same time, regional tensions are spreading beyond Iran’s borders.

Iran maintains a network of allied groups and proxy forces throughout the Middle East, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthi forces in Yemen, and various militia groups in Iraq.

Some of these organizations have already signaled that they may respond.

Houthi leaders, for example, have indicated that attacks against Israeli or American ships in the Red Sea could resume.

Such actions would threaten one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes.

Global markets have already begun reacting to the instability.

Brent crude oil prices have risen sharply since the campaign began.

Airlines such as Lufthansa, KLM, and Air France have suspended several routes through the region, while multiple countries have closed portions of their airspace.

Flights between Europe and Asia are now taking longer routes around Africa, adding hours to travel times and increasing fuel costs.

Inside Iran, the shutdown of state television has produced another unexpected consequence.

With official broadcasting disrupted, many citizens are turning to satellite channels, social media platforms, and virtual private networks to obtain information.

These are the very tools the Iranian government has spent years attempting to restrict.

As the conflict continues, analysts say one of the biggest unknowns is how the Iranian public will respond.

Some leaders in Washington and Jerusalem have suggested the current situation could create conditions for internal political change.

However, predicting how a population reacts during wartime—especially amid heavy air strikes and political uncertainty—is extremely difficult.

For now, the campaign appears to be expanding rather than slowing.

Four days into the operation, strikes have reached more than a hundred cities, major government institutions have been hit, and the region is bracing for further escalation.

With military operations still underway and regional forces on alert, the coming weeks could prove decisive for the future balance of power in the Middle East.