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Tehran civilians bear brunt of strikes on military targets
A month into escalating hostilities between Iran, the U.S., and Israel, residents of Tehran's residential districts are facing devastating consequences as precision airstrikes target state-linked facilities embedded within civilian neighborhoods.
Collateral damage in Resalat
In eastern Tehran's Resalat district, a multi-story apartment building collapsed after an Israeli airstrike on March 9. Among the victims were a young woman and her daughter, whose bodies were recovered days later beneath the rubble. Her mother, still waiting at the site, told journalists, "They don't have the manpower to get her out. My daughter is under the rubble... she's afraid of the dark."
Local authorities and residents estimate that 40 to 50 people died in the attack, which also destroyed an adjacent apartment building. Survivors described being thrown across rooms by the force of the blast. One 55-year-old man, now homeless, said, "I don't have anything now... All my documents, everything, it's gone." Displaced families are currently sheltering in a nearby hotel.
"This was our life,"
Survivor of the Resalat airstrike
Strikes extend beyond military sites
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated the target was a military building used by the Basij, a paramilitary force linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guards. However, BBC Eye's analysis of satellite imagery and verified footage reveals that the destruction spread far wider. At least four buildings were leveled in quick succession, with residential structures up to 65 meters away suffering heavy damage.
Survivors reported multiple explosions within seconds. "They hit three times," one resident said. "Maybe three or five seconds between them... I tried to stand up, but the rubble came down on my head." Military experts consulted by BBC Eye suggest the IDF likely used Mark 84 bombs-2,000-pound (907 kg) munitions from the Mark 80 series-known for their precision but also their extensive blast radius.
Unexploded ordnance matching these bombs has been documented in Tehran. Two international humanitarian law experts told the BBC that deploying such heavy munitions in densely populated areas could violate proportionality principles, as the civilian harm may outweigh the military advantage.
Pattern of destruction across Tehran
Resalat is not an isolated incident. Since the conflict began, the IDF claims to have dropped over 12,000 bombs across Iran, including 3,600 on Tehran alone. U.S. Central Command reports striking more than 9,000 targets in the country. Many of these strikes have hit police stations, Basij militia buildings, Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) facilities, and suspected ammunition stores-often located in busy residential areas.
On March 1, an Israeli strike targeted the Abbasabad police station near Niloufar Square, where families had gathered after breaking their Ramadan fast. Witnesses described a "terrifying light" followed by multiple explosions, with at least 20 people reportedly killed. One survivor recounted, "A man and a woman had just come out of a shop... they were hit immediately." Another noted that strikes occurred in rapid succession, with a second blast hitting as residents returned to the scene.
The IDF confirmed the attack, stating it "struck a military target." However, BBC Eye's analysis indicates the damage extended well beyond the police station, consistent with patterns observed in Resalat.
Civilian toll and legal concerns
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports that 1,464 civilians, including at least 217 children, have been killed in Iran during the first month of the conflict. Under international humanitarian law, parties to a conflict must distinguish between civilian and military targets, ensuring that attacks are proportionate and avoid placing military objectives in or near densely populated areas.
Residents told the BBC that the strikes are deepening resentment, even among those previously critical of the Iranian regime. Many described a lack of basic safety measures, such as public shelters, evacuation support, or temporary housing for the displaced. "There are no sirens, no warnings," one resident said. "You just hear the explosion."
Amid an ongoing internet blackout, many expressed feeling exposed and uncertain about where or when the next strike might occur. The Iranian government has not publicly outlined any nationwide civil defense protocols in response to the attacks.
Broader regional impact
Iran has also targeted civilian infrastructure in neighboring countries, including airports and hotels in Gulf nations allied with the U.S. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Israel maintain that their strikes are focused on dismantling Iran's state infrastructure. However, in Tehran, where military and civilian spaces are closely intertwined, the consequences are far-reaching.
The IDF confirmed the strikes detailed in this report but provided no further comment. The U.S. Department of Defense did not respond to inquiries.
For Tehran's residents, the conflict has left a trail of shattered homes, broken families, and a pervasive sense of insecurity. As one survivor put it, "Nowhere is truly safe."
