Iran–Israel Attacks: The Exchange Intensifies
A fresh report from Al Jazeera reveals that Tehran has been hit hard and that bombardment shows no sign of abating. Karaj, west of Tehran, and the city of Isfahan have also been struck in recent hours. There are reports of casualties across sectors in many areas, including civilians, with twenty schools affected so far.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says it has intensified its strikes. They have fired missiles and drones across the region, targeting numerous sites in Israel as well as bases in Erbil in northern Iraq and in Kuwait.
The assaults on Iran and Iran’s retaliation show no signs of abating. The war is intensifying and civilian casualties continue to rise.
Sirens have wailed as warnings were issued in northern and central Israel after the Israeli military signalled another wave of missiles from Iran. The Times of Israel reported sirens in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and across central Israel. Arutz Sheva also reported sirens in the northern Galilee region.
The statement released by authorities was accompanied by footage the military says shows attacks aimed at destroying what it calls an air-defence system.
Hizbullah said the attacks were in response to what it termed criminal aggression by Israel targeting dozens of towns and settlements in Lebanon, including the southern outskirts of Beirut.
Iran postponed the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei due to logistical and security concerns, with Israel threatening to kill any would-be successor to Khamenei.
Three air strikes hit Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab, southern Iran.
A UN independent inquiry into human rights abuses in Iran has harshly condemned US-Israel strikes on the country.
Air strikes by Israel and the United States on Tehran and several parts of Iran were reported to have killed 555 people, including students and soldiers, with Iran retaliating with Khayber Shiken missiles aimed at Tel Aviv and Haifa.
Iran mourns the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior military figures in the US-Israel attack, with President Pezeshkian calling it an open declaration of war.
The Iranian government announced 40 days of mourning and a week-long national holiday to mark the devastation.
Iranian state television confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei resulting from the US-Israel airstrike in Tehran; a chronology and its implications were to be reviewed.
Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid condemned Pakistan’s airstrikes on Kabul and Kandahar, while Kabul claimed it would launch major retaliatory operations along the border.