Escalation of Military Conflict between Iran and Israel
Intensified airstrikes and military confrontations raise concerns about regional stability.
The military confrontation between Iran and Israel has escalated sharply, entering its fourth day with significant airstrikes reported across various locations.
Israeli fighter jets have executed severe air raids targeting the official television headquarters in Tehran, with further strikes hitting military installations in western Tehran.
Israeli military sources issued alerts to residents in Tehran's third district, warning of imminent attacks.
On Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant threatened the destruction of Iran's state broadcasting network, urging evacuation of the vicinity surrounding the facility prior to planned strikes.
He stated that the Iranian propaganda machine is soon to be dismantled, asserting that residents have started evacuating neighboring areas in anticipation of these attacks.
In retaliation, an Iranian official warned that any additional Israeli strikes targeting residential buildings in Iran would ensure that no safe haven would remain for Israelis in occupied territories.
The Iranian military has thus far confined its operations to military and strategic targets, utilizing its intelligence advantage to strike with precision, emphasizing a commitment to respond without holding back.
While Iran has refrained from directly targeting residential areas in occupied territories, the Iranian leadership indicated that any reckless Israeli escalation would be met with a robust response, rendering the aggressors unable to feel secure anywhere.
The official highlighted a significant shift in the rules of engagement, noting a new phase of military response characterized by enhanced missile capabilities and rapid retaliation.
Israeli planes and drones conducted several operations early Monday against military sites in eastern Tehran and made claims of intercepting projectiles over sensitive sites, including the Natanz uranium enrichment facility.
Reports from southwestern Iran revealed thwarting of drone attacks aimed at the country’s largest steel factory.
Significant damage has been reported at Al-Farabi Hospital in Kermanshah due to Israeli bombardment, prompting Iran's Foreign Ministry to label such actions as clear war crimes.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps reported the destruction of eight drones in Ilam Province, including an advanced drone intercepted after breaching Iranian airspace.
On the ground, the Iranian military confirmed the deaths of eight Revolutionary Guards members following an Israeli missile strike in the city of Khomain, located in the central Markazi Province.
The Israeli military reported the elimination of four senior Iranian intelligence officials, including the head of the Revolutionary Guards' intelligence division.
In Tehran, the streets seemed deserted as shops and markets observed a near-total shutdown amidst warnings of further strikes.
Authorities converted mosques and metro stations into shelters for civilians, and the Iranian currency lost at least ten percent of its value against the dollar in response to the ongoing conflict, marking the most intense Israeli offensive against Iran.
As of Sunday evening, Iranian health officials reported at least 224 fatalities, with 90 percent of the casualties being civilians.
Concurrently, Iranian lawmakers are preparing legislation to withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, a move that carries significant potential implications for nuclear dynamics in the region, despite Iran asserting its commitment to non-proliferation principles.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps also announced the arrest of numerous individuals described as saboteurs and spies linked to Israel, with state authorities executing sentences against collaborators with foreign intelligence agencies.
President Massoud Bezhakian reaffirmed that while Iran intends to retain its nuclear energy rights, it opposes the development of nuclear arms, reiterating a fatwa from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei against the use of weapons of mass destruction.
In the parliamentary session, Bezhakian appealed for national unity to address external aggression, calling for an end to internal disputes.
Amid these developments, thousands of residents have fled Tehran, stockpiling essential supplies in fear of further escalation.
The Iranian government dismissed these evacuation messages as psychological warfare and insisted that the public should remain calm, although reports noted heavy traffic congestion on escape routes.
Iranian Revolutionary Guard advisor Ahmad Vahidi mentioned that Tehran has yet to utilize its full missile capabilities and is prepared for a prolonged conflict, maintaining that the strategic missile arsenal remains largely untapped.
Vahidi assured that Iran is ready for various combat scenarios and will deploy advanced missile systems when tactically advantageous.
Israel's military stated that it executed more than 50 airstrikes targeting military installations in Tehran, destroying 120 missile platforms and facilities linked to the Quds Force.
These strikes resulted in the deaths of eight civilians and injured over 100 others in Israel due to retaliatory Iranian bombardments.
International and diplomatic efforts for de-escalation have gained momentum amid the intensifying military operations.
The Kremlin has expressed its willingness to mediate, bringing forward previous proposals for managing Iranian enriched uranium.
China has urged both parties to pursue immediate calm and stability in the region.
In a communication with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Bezhakian underscored that Iran would not resume nuclear negotiations with the United States without an end to Israeli hostilities.
The Iranian Foreign Minister accused Western nations of failing to effectively condemn Israeli actions, advocating for increased diplomatic discourse to halt the aggression against Iran.
He warned that continued Israeli military actions could impede any prospect for diplomatic resolution.
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