Joint US-Israeli strikes across Iran have reportedly resulted in the complete destruction of the historic Rafi-Nia Synagogue in central Tehran, with Iranian media stating at least 15 people were killed in the overnight attacks. The strikes allegedly targeted multiple locations, raising tensions in the region.

According to Iran's Shargh newspaper, the synagogue was destroyed when an adjacent residential building was attacked. Footage showed emergency workers sifting through rubble with Hebrew-language books scattered on the ground. The narrow streets surrounding the building reportedly caused severe damage to nearby structures.

Homayoun Sameh, a Jewish representative in Iran's parliament, purportedly stated in a video published by IRIB News: "The Zionist regime showed no mercy to this community during Jewish holidays and targeted one of our ancient and holy synagogues. Unfortunately, during this attack, the synagogue building was completely destroyed and our Torah scrolls were left under the rubble."

While Judaism is one of Iran's legally recognized minority religions, the country's Jewish community has dwindled to a few thousand members since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The synagogue was described as a key gathering place for Khorasan Jews.

The attacks extended beyond Tehran, with six bodies recovered from rubble in Pardis city and nine people reportedly killed in an Israeli air attack on a residential neighborhood in Shahriar. The US and Israeli regimes have yet to provide official confirmation of their involvement in these specific strikes.

Source: www.aljazeera.com