Watch: US strikes Iran's Qom turbine engine production plant; before-after images reveal scale of damage

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Monday released before-and-after images showing the impact of American airstrikes on a key Iranian facility controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).The facility, which produced gas turbine engines for attack drones and aircraft components, has been destroyed, CENTCOM said. A photograph of the plant taken on March 6 shows the plant before the strikes, while a second image taken three days later shows the extensive damage caused by the attack. In a post on X, CENTCOM wrote, "The Qom Turbine Engine Production Plant produced gas turbine engines for attack drones and aircraft components used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The photo dated on March 6, 2026, shows the plant before US airstrikes, and the second photo shows the plant three days later, after a devastating attack from US forces."The US-Israel and Iran conflict, which began with the assassination of longest-serving leader of Tehran -- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has now entered its fourth week.Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke on Monday with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Macron reaffirmed France’s support for Saudi Arabia and its commitment to helping strengthen the kingdom’s air defences.In a post on X, Macron said, "I have just held a conversation with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I reaffirmed to him France's solidarity and our commitment to contributing to the strengthening of Saudi Arabia's air defences, at a time when the Kingdom is subjected to repeated and unacceptable attacks by Iranian missiles and drones."He also called on Iran to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. "In the face of the risk of escalation spiralling out of control, it has become more necessary than ever for all warring parties to agree to a temporary halt to attacks on energy facilities and civilian infrastructure, and for Iran to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," Macron said. Stressing responsibility and restraint, he added, "The current phase calls for responsibility and restraint, in order to create the conditions for resuming dialogue, which alone can guarantee peace and security for all. At this critical juncture, the G7 and the Gulf Cooperation Council should strengthen their coordination. France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are working together in this direction."