{"id":7135,"date":"2026-03-16T11:42:37","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T11:42:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jubaglobal.com\/?p=7135"},"modified":"2026-03-16T11:42:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T11:42:37","slug":"massive-smoke-plumes-rise-over-hamadan-as-us-israel-strikes-target-key-iranian-military-sites-on-day-17-of-the-war","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/directtopic.com\/jubaglobal.com\/massive-smoke-plumes-rise-over-hamadan-as-us-israel-strikes-target-key-iranian-military-sites-on-day-17-of-the-war\/","title":{"rendered":"Massive Smoke Plumes Rise Over Hamadan as US-Israel Strikes Target Key Iranian Military Sites on Day 17 of the War"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Juba Global News Network | JubaGlobal.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

March 16, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intense US-Israeli airstrikes continued to pound Iranian military infrastructure today, with dramatic satellite and eyewitness imagery showing thick black smoke plumes rising over the western city of Hamadan<\/strong> \u2014 a longstanding hub for Iran\u2019s ballistic missile and air defense operations. The attacks, part of the ongoing joint campaign now in its 17th day, focused on degrading remaining Iranian capabilities after earlier waves neutralized much of the country\u2019s missile production and air defense network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed strikes on multiple hardened targets in and around Hamadan, including IRGC missile storage facilities, radar installations, and command centers tied to Iran\u2019s ballistic missile program. Declassified imagery released by the IDF showed precision-guided munitions striking underground bunkers and surface structures, producing massive secondary explosions and towering smoke columns visible from miles away. Local Iranian sources reported fires spreading across military compounds, with plumes reaching thousands of feet into the sky and blanketing parts of the city in dark haze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hamadan: A Strategic Missile and Air Hub Under Fire<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hamadan has long served as one of Iran\u2019s key western military nodes. The province hosts several IRGC bases, including facilities linked to ballistic missile storage, launch preparation, and air defense coordination. Western intelligence assessments had previously identified sites in the area as critical for maintaining Iran\u2019s medium-range missile arsenal, including systems capable of reaching Israel and US bases in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today\u2019s strikes targeted:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022  Underground missile depots<\/strong> believed to house remaining stocks of Fateh-110 and Zelzal-series rockets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022  Air defense radar and command posts<\/strong>, further eroding Iran\u2019s ability to detect and intercept incoming aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022  Logistics and maintenance facilities<\/strong> supporting missile mobility and rapid deployment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Israeli officials stated the operation aimed to prevent Iran from reconstituting launch capabilities amid ongoing retaliation from Tehran and its proxies. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated earlier claims that combined strikes have already \u201cfunctionally defeated\u201d much of Iran\u2019s ballistic missile production, with Hamadan operations targeting residual stockpiles and support infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eyewitness videos circulating on social media (verified by Juba Global analysts) showed massive fireballs and smoke rising near military zones on the outskirts of Hamadan city, with residents reporting explosions shaking buildings for over an hour. Iranian state media condemned the attacks as \u201cbarbaric aggression\u201d against civilian-adjacent areas, though US-Israeli sources emphasized precision targeting to minimize collateral damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Broader Campaign: Day 17 Escalation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hamadan strikes fit into a pattern of intensified operations across Iran on day 17:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022  Additional waves hit sites in Tehran<\/strong>, Isfahan<\/strong>, Shiraz<\/strong>, and Tabriz<\/strong>, focusing on remaining air defense nodes and industrial zones tied to defense production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022  Israeli forces reported destroying over 7,600 targets<\/strong> in Iran since February 28, with US contributions including long-range cruise missiles and stealth bomber sorties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022  CENTCOM declassified footage showed B-2 bombers and F-35 fighters delivering precision munitions on hardened bunkers, producing secondary detonations consistent with destroyed munitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iranian officials reported civilian infrastructure damage in several provinces, including power outages and disrupted water supplies near strike zones. The Health Ministry updated the national toll to over 1,500 killed<\/strong> and 20,000 injured<\/strong> from the campaign, though independent verification remains challenging due to restricted access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iranian Retaliation and Proxy Activity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In response, Iran continued launching ballistic missiles toward Israel, with the Sejjil<\/strong> solid-fuel missile making its combat debut earlier in the week. Hezbollah intensified rocket barrages from Lebanon, firing over 1,200 projectiles<\/strong> in the past 48 hours targeting northern Israel. Proxies in Iraq and Yemen claimed additional attacks on US interests, though most were intercepted or caused minimal damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The US has pushed for a multinational naval coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz<\/strong>, where shipping remains paralyzed and oil prices hover near $105 per barrel. President Trump warned non-participating allies of long-term consequences, while urging China to pressure Tehran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Civilian Impact and Humanitarian Concerns<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smoke from Hamadan and other sites has raised fears of environmental and health hazards, with residents reporting respiratory issues from fallout. The UN and humanitarian groups warn of worsening conditions: over 3 million displaced<\/strong> in Iran, overwhelmed hospitals, and blocked aid routes. Calls for de-escalation grow louder internationally, though both sides show no immediate willingness to negotiate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the war grinds into its third week, strikes like those in Hamadan underscore the campaign\u2019s focus on systematically dismantling Iran\u2019s military backbone. With thousands of potential targets remaining, analysts warn the conflict could drag on unless diplomatic breakthroughs emerge or one side achieves decisive degradation of the other\u2019s capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Juba Global News Network continues round-the-clock monitoring of this high-stakes escalation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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