Azadi sports complex in Tehran damaged by alleged airstrikes

On March 5, 2026, reports emerged of a series of airstrikes targeting the Azadi sports complex in Tehran. Iranian state media and the Tasnim agency attributed the attacks to the United States and Israel. The strikes resulted in the destruction of an indoor arena with a capacity of 12,000 spectators. Furthermore, the attacks caused damage to residential dormitories, a newly constructed building of the Cycling Federation, and the complex's central swimming pool. Reports also indicate that the main football stadium, which has a capacity of 78,116 and serves as the home ground for the Iranian national team, Esteghlal, and Persepolis, sustained damages. The Azadi stadium, inaugurated in 1971, is a major landmark in Iranian sports. Official Iranian sources claim the infrastructure was almost completely destroyed. International verification of these claims and the military origins of the strikes is currently ongoing.