Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran’s capital have intensified, focusing on facilities associated with uranium centrifuge production and missile component manufacturing. The Israeli military reported successfully intercepting ten missiles overnight, coinciding with a reduction in Iranian retaliatory attacks. Iran’s leadership has issued stern warnings against US intervention in the conflict, framing it as a potential catalyst for “all-out war” in the region.
The onslaught has resulted in significant civilian casualties in Iran, with a Washington-based human rights group estimating that at least 585 individuals, including 239 civilians, have died. In response to ongoing hostilities, shops across Tehran, including the historically significant Grand Bazaar, have shuttered as residents flee the city amidst gas shortages.
Iran has launched approximately 400 missiles and numerous drones in response, inflicting casualties and damage within Israel, including strikes on residential buildings. However, the frequency of missile attacks from Iran appears to be declining, a situation that analysts attribute to Israeli operations targeting Iranian launch sites.
The international response is closely monitored, particularly from the US, where President Donald Trump has adjusted his stance to suggest a willingness for deeper involvement in the conflict. Trump has called for “unconditional surrender” from Iran, emphasizing that the US knows the location of its leadership but has no immediate plans for elimination.
Iranian officials have not disclosed comprehensive casualty figures, but the military has promised retaliation for the Israeli strikes. The conflict, now in its sixth day, shows no signs of abating, with both sides remaining steadfast in their positions, amid explosive attacks reverberating throughout Tehran.
As tensions escalate, Israel has resumed international flights from Ben Gurion Airport for the first time since the conflict erupted, aiming to repatriate citizens stranded abroad due to closed airspace. However, the broader implications of the escalating violence loom large, with each nation warning of significant repercussions as their military operations continue unabated.