A projectile struck the grounds of Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant on March 27. Both Iranian and Russian officials confirmed the hit. The incident raised fears of a radiological event at the country’s only operational nuclear power station.
Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization said the reactor itself was not directly hit. A projectile landed within the facility’s perimeter. Russia, which built the plant and supplies its fuel, called the strike “extremely dangerous” and demanded an explanation from Washington and Tel Aviv.
The International Atomic Energy Agency had warned repeatedly about the risks of military operations near nuclear facilities since the war began on February 28.
IRGC Navy Commander Killed
The Israeli military and U.S. Central Command confirmed that Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the IRGC navy, was killed in a targeted operation. Tangsiri had been one of the most senior Iranian military figures still alive after the war’s opening strikes killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several top commanders.
We have not closed the Strait of Hormuz. It is only being controlled.
Tangsiri made that statement just 12 days earlier, on March 15. His death removed the man directly responsible for Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for 20 percent of global oil supply.
Iran also confirmed that Behnam Rezaei, the IRGC navy’s intelligence chief, was killed in a separate Israeli strike on the same day, the Telegraph reported.
Uranium Processing Facility Targeted
Israeli jets hit what the Telegraph described as a uranium processing facility. The target was part of a broader Israeli campaign to destroy Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The specific location was not immediately confirmed by official sources.
The strikes came despite Trump’s announcement a day earlier extending his pause on attacks against Iran’s energy sector until April 6. Israeli operations against nuclear and military targets continued separately from that pause.
Tehran Residential Area Hit
Overnight airstrikes struck a residential neighborhood in Tehran. Reuters published photographs showing residents staring through a damaged window at the wreckage of a multi-story apartment building. Emergency crews searched the rubble for survivors.
Iran’s Health Ministry said the casualty count from Tehran was still being compiled. Hospitals in the capital reported being overwhelmed with wounded.
The Toll at Day 28
| Side | Killed | Wounded |
|---|---|---|
| Iranian civilians | 1,500+ (state media) | 19,000+ |
| Lebanese | 900+ | 2,100+ |
| US troops | 13 | 300+ |
| Israeli soldiers | 15 | not disclosed |
| Senior Iranian officials | 8+ | unknown |
Brent crude closed near $103 per barrel. The Strait of Hormuz remained at roughly 10 percent of normal shipping capacity.
Iran vowed retaliation for the nuclear site strikes. The IRGC said its response would “match the scale of the enemy’s crimes.” Hezbollah continued daily rocket attacks into northern Israel from Lebanon.
With the IRGC navy commander dead and the Bushehr plant hit, Day 28 marked a new level of escalation in both the nuclear and naval dimensions of this war.