A synagogue in Tehran, Iran, was reportedly completely destroyed following early morning strikes allegedly carried out by United States and Israeli forces, Iranian media outlets reported on Tuesday.
The development was reported by Mehr News Agency and the Iranian newspaper Shargh, which cited preliminary information from the attack site.
According to Shargh, the Rafi-Nia Synagogue, located in Tehran, was among the structures affected by the strike.
“According to preliminary information, the Rafi-Nia Synagogue… was completely destroyed in this morning’s attacks,” the newspaper reported.
The report described the synagogue as an important gathering place for Jewish residents, particularly those with roots in Iran’s Khorasan province.
Shargh noted that the site served as “one of the most important places for Khorasan Jews to gather and celebrate.”
Judaism is recognised as one of Iran’s official minority religions, alongside Christianity and Zoroastrianism, under the country’s constitution.
Although Shia Islam is the dominant religion in Iran, the constitution guarantees representation for certain minority faiths in parliament.
Iran’s Jewish population has declined significantly since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, when many members of the community emigrated.
While no official figures are publicly available, estimates suggest that a few thousand Jewish people still live in the country.
Iran’s constitution recognises Sunni Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism as minority faiths, granting them limited religious freedoms and representation in the legislative system.