US and Israel Intensify Military Strikes on Iran Amid Rising Tensions
The United States military has announced the destruction of key Iranian military installations, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) command centers and air defense systems, as part of ongoing US-Israel attacks on Iran. The US Central Command (CENTCOM), overseeing military operations in the Middle East, reported the destruction of missile and drone launch sites, though it did not provide evidence for these claims.
The conflict, now in its fourth day, has seen significant retaliation from Iran, with Tehran launching attacks across the region. CENTCOM stated that US forces have targeted over 1,250 sites in Iran, including the destruction of 11 Iranian ships. However, the conflict has also resulted in casualties on the US side, with six service personnel killed in Iranian retaliatory attacks on Kuwait. Additionally, Kuwait mistakenly shot down three US fighter jets during an Iranian assault, though all crew members were safely recovered.
The Iranian Red Crescent reported that at least 787 people have been killed in Iran since the attacks began, affecting 153 counties and involving over 1,039 individual attacks. Among the casualties were 13 Iranian soldiers killed in a US-Israeli strike on a military base in Kerman province. Further reports from the ISNA agency indicated that five members of the IRGC’s air force and navy were killed in attacks on the cities of Jam and Dir in Bushehr province.
Despite the escalating violence, US President Donald Trump stated that the US is prepared to extend its military operations against Iran beyond the initially projected four-to-five-week timeframe.
In Tehran, explosions were heard throughout the night, with similar reports from the cities of Isfahan and Shiraz. Israeli military operations have focused on dismantling Iran’s air defense systems and targeting personnel operating these systems. Israeli forces have also attacked sites linked to Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities.
The conflict has expanded beyond Iran, with Israeli forces launching attacks on Hezbollah positions in Beirut, Lebanon. These strikes followed earlier Israeli air raids on Beirut’s southern suburbs and southern Lebanon, resulting in at least 52 deaths and 154 injuries. In response, Hezbollah claimed an attack on Israel’s Ramat David Airbase, targeting radar sites and control rooms with drones.
The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the impact on civilians, particularly children, as the conflict intensifies. UN officials have condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. They emphasized the need for all parties to adhere to international humanitarian and human rights laws.
Iranian officials reported a tragic attack on a primary school in Minab, resulting in the deaths of at least 165 schoolgirls and staff. Additionally, nine hospitals in Iran have sustained serious damage amid the ongoing hostilities.