ISLAMABAD: The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has intensified into one of the deadliest exchanges between the two nations in recent years.
Since hostilities erupted on Friday, both sides have engaged in relentless missile and drone strikes, leaving a rising toll of casualties on both sides and escalating tensions across the region.
Iran launched 370 ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel over a four-day period, according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, with the attacks hitting key locations across the country. As of Sunday, at least 24 people in Israel have been killed, and 592 others, including 10 in critical condition, have been injured. The violence has affected 30 locations within Israel, marking a significant intensification of hostilities.
In Iran, the situation is similarly dire. According to Iran’s Health Ministry, at least 224 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes, the majority of them civilians, including 70 women and children.
Among the fatalities were senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including the intelligence chief and two generals, as well as nuclear scientists. The destruction from Israeli airstrikes has left several Iranian cities, including Tehran, reeling from the damage. The Israeli attacks targeted key military and nuclear infrastructure, heightening fears of further escalation.
The conflict escalated further when Iranian missiles struck Tel Aviv and the port city of Haifa early on Monday morning, killing at least eight people and destroying residential homes.
The strikes have left the country on edge, with Israel’s Defense Minister warning that the residents of Tehran would “pay the price” for the attacks. Israel’s military has responded with additional airstrikes against Iranian targets, while the Israeli government vows to continue its campaign against Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.
Iran’s military has vowed to continue its missile strikes until Israel halts its military campaign. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran’s retaliation would cease only if Israel stopped its attacks, and the country has warned that further Israeli assaults would trigger a “more severe and powerful response.”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also claimed to have breached Israel’s defense systems, allowing them to successfully strike multiple targets, although Israel’s military has not confirmed this.
The international community has grown increasingly concerned about the potential for the conflict to spill beyond Israel and Iran’s borders. The U.S. Embassy in Israel was closed on Monday due to the ongoing security threats, following missile strikes that caused minor damage to the embassy’s branch in Tel Aviv, although no injuries to U.S. personnel have been reported.
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed hope for a diplomatic resolution, urging both Iran and Israel to reach an agreement, though no significant talks have taken place. Trump has also vowed that any Iranian attack on U.S. interests would trigger a response from Washington.
The situation has sparked widespread fears of a wider regional conflict. As the U.S. and European leaders meet in Canada for the Group of Seven summit, the escalating violence remains high on the international agenda. While Trump has called for a deal, urging both sides to find a diplomatic solution, the violence on the ground shows no signs of abating.
Israel’s surprise attack on June 13 targeted key figures within the Iranian military and nuclear facilities, killing high-ranking officials and damaging crucial infrastructure. The operation, known as “Operation Rising Lion,” also targeted Iran’s missile and nuclear programs, which Israel views as a major security threat.
In retaliation, Iran launched waves of drones and missiles at Israeli targets, including military installations and civilian infrastructure, causing widespread damage.
The latest exchange has highlighted the vulnerability of both countries’ defense systems, with reports of Iranian missiles breaching Israel’s defenses, leading to casualties and widespread property damage. In response, Israel’s military has issued warnings for civilians to take shelter, as additional missile salvos from Iran are expected.
Iran has firmly rejected any ceasefire negotiations while under attack, and Tehran has warned that its military operations will continue until Israel halts its aggression. The Iranian military spokesperson, Colonel Reza Sayyad, has urged Israeli civilians to evacuate Israeli-occupied territories, warning that these areas could become uninhabitable due to continued retaliatory strikes.
In addition to missile strikes, both Israel and Iran have engaged in a war of words, with Israel accusing Iran of exacerbating tensions by targeting civilian infrastructure, while Iran condemns Israel’s aggressive military tactics. The situation remains fluid, with international leaders calling for de-escalation, but with no clear resolution in sight.
Amid the violence, oil prices surged by 0.5%, with investors reacting to the uncertainty in the region. The conflict has also impacted global markets, but stock and currency markets in Asia have shown little movement. The international community, particularly the United States and European nations, is urging both Israel and Iran to seek a diplomatic resolution, but with both sides locked in military escalation, a peaceful outcome appears uncertain.
