Fire ignited at the impact site following an Iranian missile strike, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in central Israel, March 13, 2026. Photo: REUTERS/Gideon Markowicz

Israel has launched a new phase of its military campaign in Iran, targeting checkpoints manned by the ​Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) based on tip–offs from informants on the ground, a source briefed on Israel‘s strategy told Reuters.

The targeting of checkpoints secured by IRGC personnel suggests an intensification of Israel‘s efforts to weaken Iran’s elite forces as it carries out joint aerial bombardment with the United States.

Israel says its war objectives include destroying Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities but also “creating the conditions” for Iranians to overthrow their government, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said this is an uncertain prospect.

There ⁠has ​been no sign of organized dissent ​while the country is under attack, and no sign of Iran’s ​rulers relinquishing power.

On Thursday, Israel‘s military said it had struck checkpoints in Tehran operated by the Basij, a paramilitary force under IRGC control that is often used ​to quell protests inside Iran.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said informants on the ground in Tehran had passed intelligence to Israel on the locations of three checkpoints that were struck in the past three days. The source was not able to confirm whether these included the Basij positions mentioned by the military.

The use of informants to identify checkpoint locations was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Israel‘s military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.