IDF drone strikes on Basij paramilitary checkpoints in Tehran — several killed, footage published

The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed on Thursday March 12 that it carried out drone strikes against members of Iran's Basij paramilitary force at checkpoints in Tehran over the previous day, publishing footage of the attacks. The Basij had established checkpoints in several areas of the Iranian capital in recent days. Following identification, the Israeli Air Force struck the checkpoints and Basij members. Iranian media reported several Basij and internal security forces stationed at the checkpoints were killed. The IDF described the Basij as "part of the Iranian regime's security apparatus" that has "for years been responsible for carrying out terror activities" and "lead the main repression operations against internal protests, particularly in the recent period, using severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators." This is the first confirmed Israeli targeting of Basij forces in Tehran — a notable expansion from military infrastructure to regime internal security apparatus.