Iran missile shards hit near Jerusalem holy sites, Temple Mount; IDF: Iran missiles could reach Europe

Iranian missile shards have hit near holy sites in Jerusalem — including the Temple Mount, Western Wall and Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

That is according to Israeli officials and come amidst the continued U.S. and Israel war with Iran.

Israeli officials report Iranian missile fragments landed near the Muslim, Christian and Jewish holy sites on March 16 and March 20.

Iran has fired missiles and drones at Israeli cities since the start of the war with some more direct hits. Other attacks from Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah have been intercepted by Israel defense systems.

Still, some fragments and shrapnel from the weapons have fallen on Israeli cities, including the Old City in Jerusalem.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said Iranian missile remnants hit the compound of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The church encompasses Calvary where Jesus was crucified and the tomb where has buried and rose from the dead three days later, according to the Christian faith.

On Friday. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Iranian missile fragments hit near the Temple Mount and Al-Aqsa Mosque site.

The latter is where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. Muslims also believe Jesus was taken into heaven by God before the crucifixion in Jerusalem.

The mosque is also home to the Temple Mount, home to two previous Jewish temples .The second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.

The Romans built a temple to Jupiter on the site.

Jerusalem’s holy sites, including the Temple Mount fit into End Times prophesies involving all three Abrahamic religions about the return of Jesus, a Jewish messiah. Antichrist and apocalyptic Armageddon wars and an end of the world.

The latest strike near the Temple Mount, Western Wall and Dome of the Rock / Al-Aqsa Mosque came within approximately 437 yards (just over four football fields) from the holy sites, according to Israeli officials.

An Iranian missile strike hit southern Israel Saturday, including near Israeli nuclear research centers, causing a number of injuries.

Iran also launched long-range missiles at the United Kingdom / U.S. base at Diego Garcia Island in the Indian Ocean.

"Yesterday, Iran launched a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 4,000 kilometers toward an American target on Diego Garcia Island. These missiles are not intended to strike Israel. Their range reaches the capitals of Europe: Berlin, Paris, and Rome are all within direct threat range,” IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir

That gives the missiles a range of more than 2,485 miles.

The Iranian long-range missile did not hit the UK/US base. But Israeli officials say it shows Iran’s missile capabilities and threats could hit Europe.

European countries have been reticent or outright opposed to join the U.S./Israel war with Iran, including efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The shipping channel has been restricted due to the war and Iranian strikes on tankers and cargo ships, driving up prices of oil, gasoline and fertilizers.

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said part of their motivations for the war was Iran’s ballistic missile threats to the Middle East and beyond, including Tehran’s nuclear aspirations.

Trump, who has criticized NATO allies for not backing the war effort, pushed back on U.S. critics Saturday.

“The United States has blown Iran off of the map,” Trump said as part of a Truth Social post, adding he’s meeting his war goals.

“Their leadership is gone, their navy and air force are dead, they have absolutely no defense, and they want to make a deal. I don’t! We are weeks ahead of schedule," Trump said.

The U.S./Israel war effort has killed Iranian leadership and hit at the Tehran's missile installations and security infrastructure.