Tehran’ Mehrabad Airport Ablaze Following Fresh Wave of Israeli Airstrikes

New Delhi, March 7, 2026 — A massive fire erupted at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport in the early hours of Saturday, March 7, 2026, after the Israeli military announced a “broad-scale” wave of fresh strikes targeting the Iranian capital.

Social media was quickly flooded with geolocated footage showing large plumes of thick black smoke and intense orange flames rising from the airport complex, which serves as a primary aviation hub for domestic and regional travel.

Escalation in the Skies over Tehran

The strikes hit Mehrabad shortly after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed they were carrying out extensive operations against regime infrastructure in Tehran. According to local reports and eyewitness accounts, several powerful explosions rocked the western part of the city, with shockwaves rattling buildings in the vicinity.

While official casualty figures have not yet been released, unconfirmed reports from social media and local residents suggest the fire may have originated near fuel storage tanks within the airport grounds. Some footage appeared to show at least one aircraft positioned on the tarmac caught in the blaze, though Iranian state media has only confirmed that the “outskirts” of the airport were hit.

A Region on the Brink

This latest bombardment is part of a rapidly escalating conflict that began in late February 2026. The situation has grown increasingly volatile following:

• Targeted Infrastructure: Ongoing strikes by the US and Israel aimed at degrading Iran’s air defense systems, IRGC headquarters, and missile launch sites.
• Retaliatory Salvos: In response to the Saturday morning strikes, Iran launched retaliatory fire toward Tel Aviv. Israeli air defense systems were seen intercepting incoming projectiles over the city’s skyline.
• Regional Impact: Saudi Arabian air defenses also reported neutralizing 16 drones and several missiles targeting the strategic Shaybah oil field and Prince Sultan Air Base earlier today.

Global Economic and Diplomatic Fallout

The intensification of the war has sent shockwaves through global markets. Brent crude oil prices have surged toward $93 per barrel, a nearly 30% increase within a single week, as fears grow over the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

International leaders, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, have issued urgent pleas for a ceasefire, warning that the situation is “spiraling beyond anyone’s control.” Meanwhile, the White House has maintained a firm stance, stating that the operations will continue until the threat posed by the current regime is neutralized.

As of Saturday afternoon, fire crews at Mehrabad Airport are still battling the remains of the blaze. Aviation authorities have not yet announced when flight operations—already severely restricted due to the conflict—might resume.