Tehran: US-Israeli strikes have reportedly destroyed the Rafieinia Synagogue in Tehran, Iran, with claims of Torah scrolls being desecrated. Iran labeled the attack as a "despicable crime" on Tuesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the incident occurred during the Jewish holidays, as reported by Homayoun Sameyah, a representative of Iran's Jewish community in Parliament. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei condemned the strike on US social media platform X, stating that the attack is "abhorred by all Iranians." He emphasized that Iranians are united in defending their homeland.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf remarked on X that the synagogue had been a place of worship for Iranian Jews for many decades and expressed his outrage over its destruction. He attributed the attack to "Israeli criminals."

The incident is part of an ongoing regional escalation, which began on February 28 when Israel and the US launched an offensive against Iran. In response, Tehran has executed drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. These actions have resulted in casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to global markets and aviation.