US-Israel Airstrikes Pound Tehran Province: Dozens Killed, Sharif University Mosque and Gas Station Damaged in Fresh Escalation
By Juba Global News Network | JubaGlobal.com
Published: April 6, 2026
Intense US-Israeli airstrikes targeted residential areas and key infrastructure in and around Tehran early Monday, killing at least 34 people and causing widespread damage, including a direct hit on facilities at Iran’s prestigious Sharif University of Technology. The attacks come as the U.S.-Israel-Iran war enters a dangerous new phase, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s fiery ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday evening.
Iranian state media and officials report that strikes hit a residential building near Eslamshahr, southwest of Tehran, killing at least 13-14 civilians. Separate or coordinated attacks struck the Sharif University campus in Tehran, damaging laboratories, a campus mosque, and an adjacent natural gas distribution station, which triggered temporary gas outages in the surrounding Sharif neighborhood.
Details of the Strikes
Eslamshahr Residential Attack:
• Early Monday morning, an airstrike destroyed parts of a residential building near Eslamshahr, a suburban area southwest of the Iranian capital.
• Iranian sources, including semi-official Fars News Agency and Nour News, confirmed at least 13 people killed, with additional casualties possible as rescue teams continue searching through the rubble.
• The target of the strike remains unclear according to some reports, though Iranian officials have condemned it as an attack on civilian housing. Images and footage circulating on social media show collapsed buildings, emergency responders, and grieving families at the site.
Sharif University of Technology Attack:
• One of Iran’s leading scientific institutions — often compared to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) — sustained significant damage.
• Strikes hit laboratories and other campus facilities. A mosque within the university compound was also damaged, with photos showing students and staff inspecting the aftermath, including debris scattered around the religious site.
• A gas station or distribution facility next to the university was struck, leading to reports of gas outages in Tehran’s District 9 and the Sharif neighborhood, as confirmed by state broadcaster IRIB.
• The attack on Sharif University is part of a broader pattern: Iran’s Science Minister has stated that more than 30 universities across the country have been directly targeted since the war began on February 28, 2026.
Overall death toll from Monday’s strikes in the Tehran region is reported at over 25-34, with dozens more injured. These figures come amid a cumulative Iranian death toll exceeding 2,000 since the conflict started, according to Iranian health authorities.
Context Within the Ongoing War
The war erupted with surprise US-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026, which included the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, missile production facilities, and military command centers. Iran responded with large-scale missile and drone barrages targeting Israel, the UAE, and other Gulf locations.
In recent weeks, US-Israeli operations have increasingly focused on degrading Iran’s remaining military capabilities, missile stockpiles, and dual-use infrastructure. Strikes on universities have drawn particular criticism, as many Iranian higher education institutions host advanced research labs that could have military applications, including in nuclear, missile, or drone technology.
The latest attacks occur just as President Trump issued an expletive-laden ultimatum on Truth Social, threatening “Power Plant Day” and strikes on bridges if Iran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday, April 7.
Iranian officials have labeled the university and residential strikes as “war crimes” and evidence of “moral collapse” by the US and Israel. They vow retaliation, while also claiming successes such as downing additional US aircraft during rescue operations.
Humanitarian and Infrastructure Impact
• Civilian Casualties: The strikes on residential areas and educational sites have heightened concerns over the growing toll on non-combatants. Victims include families in Eslamshahr and students or staff associated with Sharif University.
• Infrastructure Damage: The gas outage in parts of Tehran highlights the vulnerability of civilian energy supplies. Broader strikes have already damaged airports, fuel depots, bridges, and other essential services across Iran.
• Universities as Targets: With over 30 universities hit, Iran’s scientific and technological base faces long-term setbacks. Sharif University, known for its elite engineering and physics programs, has been a particular symbol of national pride.
International observers, including the UN Human Rights Chief, have described the conflict as disproportionately affecting civilians, with schools closed, banks operating at reduced capacity, and daily life disrupted in major cities.
Reactions from All Sides
• Iran: Officials condemned the attacks as aggression against civilian infrastructure. Spokespersons called the strike on Sharif University’s mosque especially provocative. Iran continues to insist it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz under duress and has warned of opening the “gates of hell” in response to further escalation.
• US and Israel: Neither side has immediately claimed responsibility for the specific Monday strikes, consistent with their operational security during the campaign. US officials emphasize the need to neutralize threats from Iran’s missile program and nuclear ambitions, while Israel focuses on eliminating existential dangers.
• International Community: Calls for de-escalation are increasing. Japan has announced plans for summit talks with Iran. Pope Leo XIV, in his first Easter message, urged peace in the Middle East. European nations have largely stayed on the sidelines, describing the conflict as “not our war,” though concerns over global oil supplies remain high.
What Happens Next?
As Trump’s Tuesday deadline looms, fears of a major new wave of strikes on Iranian power plants and bridges are widespread. Iranian forces remain on high alert, and further retaliatory missile launches toward Israel or the Gulf cannot be ruled out.
The parallel Russia-Ukraine war continues unabated, but global attention remains fixed on the Middle East due to the critical role of the Strait of Hormuz in energy markets. Oil prices have surged repeatedly amid the blockade and uncertainty.
Military analysts warn that continued targeting of dual-use sites like universities risks pushing Iran toward more desperate measures, potentially accelerating any remaining nuclear activities or asymmetric attacks through proxies.
This story is rapidly developing. Juba Global News Network will continue monitoring casualty updates, official statements, and potential retaliatory actions.
Related Coverage on JubaGlobal.com:
• Trump’s explosive “Open the F****** Strait” ultimatum and Power Plant Day threat
• Iranian missile barrage on Israel and UAE killing at least 13
• Daring US special forces rescue of downed F-15 airman inside Iran
• Global oil price surges amid persistent Hormuz blockade
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