TEHRAN: Israeli airstrikes struck Tehran, Qom, western Iran, and Isfahan province on Wednesday, targeting Basij paramilitary and internal security facilities as the death toll from the US-Israeli assault rose to 1,045, according to Iranian local media. Residential areas were also damaged, with more than 6,000 people wounded and about 300 children hospitalized.

The International Atomic Energy Agency reported visible damage near buildings close to the Isfahan nuclear site but confirmed no impact on nuclear material facilities and no radiological risk.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the initial strikes on Saturday along with Defense Minister Amir Nasirzadeh. Funeral plans were postponed for logistical reasons as authorities move to select a successor. Senior cleric Ahmad Khatami said a decision is near, though no official announcement has been made. Israeli and Western media report Mojtaba Khamenei as a leading contender.

Iran has launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks on Israel and US bases in the Gulf. While most were intercepted, some hit military and civilian sites, with debris also falling in populated areas. The United Nations estimates 100,000 people fled Tehran between February 28 and March 1.

Israel’s defense minister warned any future Iranian leader pursuing hostile policies would be targeted. US President Donald Trump said Iran’s leadership was weakening, while Iran’s foreign minister accused Washington of betraying diplomacy. The US Senate voted against limiting the president’s authority to wage war as the conflict continues.