The Russian Embassy in Iran reported that two missile strikes hit close to the Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in the Iranian capital. The blasts damaged the main church building, an almshouse (elderly care home), and several technical facilities.
Images shared by the embassy showed a partially collapsed ceiling, broken windows and doors, and debris scattered on the floor.
The church is located near the compound of the former US Embassy in Tehran. Reports say the strikes targeted that area, and the force of the explosions affected the nearby Russian church, which is about 150 metres away. The almshouse, where elderly residents still live, also suffered structural damage, including a partial roof collapse.
The Russian Embassy strongly condemned the airstrikes by the United States and Israel. It noted that the damage happened during Great Lent, just before the important Christian holiday of Easter.
Because of the strikes, the small Orthodox community in Iran cannot visit the church for prayers and services. The embassy called the attacks reckless and said they harmed civilian and religious sites.
The Saint Nicholas Cathedral, designed by a Russian architect, is listed as part of Iran’s national cultural heritage. No one was injured in the incident.
This event is part of the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US-Israel alliance that began in late February 2026. The strikes have raised fresh concerns about damage to civilian and religious buildings in Tehran.
