The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has entered its 6th day with both nations exchanging missile and drone strikes. The conflict, which began with Israel’s surprise attack on Iranian nuclear and military targets has resulted in significant casualties and infrastructure damage on both sides.
Iran’s health ministry reported around 224 deaths and over 1,400 injuries, with 90% of the casualties being civilians. Several senior military officials and nuclear scientists have also been caught in the crossfire. The figures remain unverified due to restricted information flow. In Israel, Iranian missile attacks have killed at least 24 people and injured over 600, with major cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa sustaining heavy damage.
Israel’s defense forces have claimed responsibility for the assassination of Iran’s wartime chief of staff, Ali Shadmani, in a hit in Tehran. As an answer, Iran’s armed forces commander, Abdolrahim Mousavi has pledged a ‘severe retaliatory operation’ in the near future. Iran’s advanced Haj Qassem missiles have penetrated Israel’s sophisticated air defense systems and managed precision strikes.
Israel’s sustained air defense has been focusing on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, with the International Atomic Energy Agency confirming ‘direct impacts to underground enrichment facilities at Natanz.
Iran’s 86 year old dictator, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei finds himself alienated as his most trusted men fall around him. Top commanders like Hossein Salami, Amir Ali Hajizadeh and Mohammad Kazemi, killed during Israeli air strikes were among the dictator’s most trusted advisors. In the meantime, Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been rising the ranks and is widely considered his successor.
U.S. involvement looms at large. President Donald Trump was seen leaving the G7 meetings early. He has also addressed his national security team to discuss potential airstrikes on Iranian targets, including nuclear sites, using bunker busting bombs. Trump’s has demanded that Iran surrender completely. He claimed that the U.S has control over Iran’s skies. Trump’s braggadocio has drawn criticism from China who accused him of exacerbating the war. The Pentagon has deployed a second aircraft carrier— the USS Nimitz, to the Middle East.
Civilians in Tehran are facing severe disruptions in the form of internet restrictions, hampering access to news and evacuation warnings. The World Health Organization has issued warnings about a catastrophic public health crisis that might arise from strikes on nuclear sites. Although global leaders have urged for de-escalation, the lack of viable resolutions and volatile oil prices suggest that the conflict may prolong.
