Bombings destroyed launchers, military bases and hospitals in Iran, while Netanyahu claims to have halted the development of the Persian atomic program for years.
Israel is expanding its military campaign against Tehran five days after the surprise attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, while US President Donald Trump issues an urgent evacuation alert for residents of the Persian capital. “IRAN CANNOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,” Trump wrote before returning early from the G7 summit in Canada. Israeli authorities ordered the evacuation of 330,000 residents of central Tehran, a city of 10 million people.
Intense fighting leaves hundreds of victims
Israeli attacks on military leaders, nuclear scientists, and nuclear enrichment plants have left at least 224 dead since Friday, according to official figures. Iran responded by launching more than 370 missiles and hundreds of drones into Israeli territory, leaving 24 dead and more than 500 wounded. The Iranian military fired a new barrage on Tuesday, with explosions reported in northern Israel.
Human rights groups such as Human Rights Activists documented more than 400 deaths, including 197 Iranian civilians , a figure considerably higher than government reports. Iranian health authorities reported 1,277 people injured in the bombings. Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, despite Israeli accusations.
Panic in Tehran causes mass exodus
Downtown Tehran began to empty out early Tuesday morning, with shops closed and the historic Grand Bazaar devoid of activity , a situation that had only occurred during anti-government protests or the peak of the pandemic. Highways to the west were clogged with traffic, with evacuees heading toward the Caspian Sea. Long lines formed at gas stations, while Iranian authorities insisted everything was under control.
