From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
IDF admits Tehran synagogue damaged in strike targeting Iranian commander, regrets ‘collateral damage’
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleEmanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The IDF says it carried out a strike that damaged a synagogue in Tehran earlier today, saying it was targeting a senior Iranian commander and that it regretted the “collateral damage” to the Jewish house of worship nearby.
According to Iranian media and footage, heavy damage was caused to the Rafi Niya synagogue.
In response to a query by The Times of Israel, the military says that it struck a top commander from Khatam al-Anbiya, Iran’s military emergency command.
“Reports were received that a nearby synagogue was also damaged in the strike. The IDF regrets the collateral damage to the synagogue and emphasizes that the strike was directed at a senior military target within the regime’s armed forces,” the IDF says.
The IDF says that it took steps to “minimize the risk of harm to civilians” in the strike, “including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance.”
The results of the strike are still under review, the military adds.
A Jewish synagogue in center of Tehran was damaged by the enemy at 4 a.m. on Tuesday.
Debris removal operations are ongoing. pic.twitter.com/AJuFAptTFV— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) April 7, 2026
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