The military conflict between Israel and Iran intensified overnight on Monday, with both nations launching deadly strikes that increasingly targeted civilian areas. As the crisis threatens to destabilize the wider Middle East, global leaders have called for urgent de-escalation.
On Sunday, an Israeli airstrike reportedly killed Mohammad Kazem, the intelligence chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In response, Iran launched a fresh wave of missile attacks over the weekend, killing 10 people in Israel—including children—and wounding over 380. The overall Israeli death toll has now reached 13.
In retaliation, Israel conducted major airstrikes on Monday targeting several Iranian cities, including Tehran. Explosions rocked the capital, prompting thousands of residents to flee. Highways leading out of Tehran were clogged with traffic as panic gripped the city. According to Iran’s Health Ministry, at least 230 people have been killed since Israeli attacks began on Friday.
The conflict erupted after Israel launched a large-scale operation on Friday aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure. Iran responded swiftly, unleashing its missile arsenal.
Adding to the volatility, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a controversial statement, saying that “killing” Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would end the conflict. This comes a day after U.S. officials revealed to Reuters that former President Donald Trump had previously vetoed such a plan by Israel. Ayatollah Khamenei is reportedly now in a secure bunker at an undisclosed location.
Diplomatic efforts have stalled. Tehran has cancelled the sixth round of nuclear talks with Washington that was scheduled for Sunday in Oman. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Israel of trying to sabotage diplomacy and derail peace efforts.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump urged both nations to “make a deal,” though he controversially added that they might have to “fight it out” first. Iran responded that it would not consider a ceasefire while under direct attack, and Israel has shown no intent to slow its campaign. “The issue here is not de-escalation,” Netanyahu stated, “but stopping Iran from developing its nuclear capability.”
As the death toll rises and the region sits on edge, the world watches anxiously—hoping the situation doesn’t spiral into a full-scale regional war.
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