The long-standing hostility between Israel and Iran took a deadly turn overnight on Monday, as military exchanges intensified, striking residential areas and resulting in rising civilian casualties. The violence has prompted urgent international calls for restraint, with world leaders warning of the conflict’s potential to destabilize the broader Middle East.
Tensions surged following Israel’s targeted strike on Sunday that reportedly killed Mohammad Kazem, the intelligence chief of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards. The attack marked a significant escalation in Israel’s broader offensive, launched Friday, aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities.
In a swift and deadly retaliation over the weekend, Iran fired waves of missiles into Israeli territory, killing 10 people—including children—and injuring hundreds. The combined death toll on the Israeli side has now reached 13, with more than 380 people wounded. Iran’s health ministry has reported that at least 230 people have died in Israeli airstrikes since Friday.
The timing of the military escalation has further complicated ongoing diplomatic efforts. Talks between Tehran and Washington regarding Iran’s nuclear program were abruptly suspended, with Iran pulling out of a sixth round of negotiations scheduled for Sunday in Oman. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned Israel’s military actions, accusing them of deliberately sabotaging diplomacy.
“The attacks are a clear attempt to derail progress and undermine peaceful negotiations,” Araghchi said.
While U.S. President Donald Trump has urged both nations to "make a deal," he also hinted that further conflict may be unavoidable. “They may need to fight it out before they come to the table,” he remarked.
Despite rising global pressure to ease hostilities, neither side appears willing to step back. Iranian officials have stated that ceasefire talks are off the table as long as Israel continues its assault, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintained a hardline stance, declaring: “This is not about de-escalation; this is about stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.”
As diplomatic channels falter and airstrikes persist, fears grow that the conflict could expand beyond the region’s borders, dragging neighboring states and global powers into a wider confrontation.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)