US and Israel accused of destroying synagogue in Tehran

Tehran Synagogue Damaged in Overnight Attacks

A synagogue in central Tehran has been severely damaged in overnight attacks, according to Iranian media reports. The Rafi-Nia Synagogue was reportedly destroyed when an adjacent residential building was targeted.

Footage from the scene shows civil defence workers amidst rubble and Hebrew-language books scattered on the ground. The damage to nearby buildings is also reported to be extensive due to the narrowness of the surrounding streets.

The attacks, which occurred overnight, have resulted in at least 15 fatalities across Iran, according to local media reports. In addition, six bodies have been recovered from under the rubble of buildings in Pardis, east of Tehran.

A video published on Telegram by IRIB News outlet features Homayoun Sameh, a Jewish representative in Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly, who describes the attack as targeting one of their “ancient and holy synagogues”. The synagogue is reportedly home to Torah scrolls, which were left under the rubble during the attack.

The attacks are part of a series of US-Israeli strikes that have occurred overnight. Local officials have confirmed nine fatalities in an Israeli air attack on a residential neighbourhood in Shahriar, west of Tehran province.

Source: Al Jazeera