Tehran synagogue reduced to rubble in Israeli air strike, witnesses say

A historic synagogue in Tehran was destroyed in an Israeli air strike on 7 April, according to a worshipper and an expert familiar with the site. The Rafi-Nia synagogue, in Malek Lane near the Iranian capital's historic centre, was hit in the early hours of the morning, with witnesses saying three strikes landed around 3:30am. The building and a neighbouring property were left in ruins, and residents later returned to find their homes and belongings damaged or destroyed.

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One worshipper, Marjan, said she was alerted by a neighbour shortly before dawn and rushed to the scene. She said emergency services were already present, along with the Red Crescent, the Basij volunteer force and volunteers wearing vests bearing the emblem of the Revolutionary Guards, who were clearing rubble. She also said pages from holy books were scattered into nearby streets, underlining the extent of the damage at the site.

No one was inside the synagogue when it was struck, and there were no immediate reports of casualties at the site. Even so, the destruction has been described by those familiar with the community as a severe blow because the synagogue was more than a place of worship. It also hosted meetings of the Association of Jewish Graduates of Iran and served as a gathering point for families and community activities.

The strike comes against the backdrop of long-running tensions between Israel and Iran, which have repeatedly spilled into direct military confrontation. In that context, the destruction of a religious and community landmark in Tehran carries significance beyond the physical damage. It also raises questions about the protection of civilian and cultural sites during wartime, particularly when they are tied to minority communities.

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Rafi-Nia had been part of Tehran's Jewish life for decades. According to the account provided, the building dates from the first Pahlavi dynasty and was made available to the Jewish community in 1958 by its owner, Abdul Rahman Rafi-Nia. Since then, it had remained a living community space, with regular services and meetings, and was valued by worshippers for its courtyard and steady daily use.

The synagogue's destruction also highlights the position of Iran's Jewish community, one of the largest in the Middle East outside Israel. The account describes the site as emblematic of that community's presence in the capital and of the relationships built over years with neighbouring residents. Those neighbours, Marjan said, were left watching in shock as the area was cleared and possessions were lost in a matter of seconds.

For now, it is not clear what will happen to the site or whether any of the buried Torah scrolls can be recovered from the rubble. The full extent of the damage to the surrounding buildings also remains uncertain. What is clear is that the strike has removed a long-standing religious and communal landmark from Tehran, and the consequences for the local Jewish community are still unfolding.

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