Iran’s Health Ministry has confirmed that at least 224 people have been killed and more than 1,200 wounded as a result of Israeli airstrikes across multiple cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz. The revelation comes amid an alarming intensification of hostilities between the two regional powers.
The casualties were reported following a series of devastating aerial bombardments by Israel, which claimed the attacks were part of its response to perceived threats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and military installations. However, Iran asserts that the strikes have disproportionately affected civilian areas and public infrastructure.
According to Iran’s Deputy Health Minister, hospitals are overwhelmed as emergency services continue to treat the wounded. “This is a humanitarian catastrophe. Most victims are civilians, including women and children,” the ministry official said.
The Iranian government has vowed “severe retaliation,” while global powers have urged both countries to exercise restraint. The United Nations Security Council is expected to convene an emergency session to address the deteriorating situation.
Eyewitnesses in Tehran described scenes of chaos, with multiple residential buildings reduced to rubble and smoke billowing across the city skyline. Footage shared on social media showed medics transporting injured civilians and rescue teams digging through debris in search of survivors.
This dramatic surge in violence marks one of the deadliest chapters in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, triggering widespread international alarm over the potential for a broader regional war.