Deadly exchange of blows between Israel and Iran intensifies

A major conflict has been brewing in the Middle East for more than three days. Large-scale missile and drone attacks between Israel and Iran pose a serious threat not only to military infrastructure and nuclear facilities, but also to civilian areas. By the third day, the number of victims and the list of damaged facilities in both countries is increasing.

Large-scale Israeli retaliation strikes

On the third day of the conflict, Israel carried out large-scale missile and precision strikes across its territory. On the evening of June 14, a strike targeted a large gas field located in the South Persian Gulf region of the Islamic Republic, partially halting production at the facility. On the night of June 15, the Shahron oil depot in Tehran, the headquarters of the Iranian Ministry of Defense, the Defense Innovation and Research Organization (SPND), and a uranium enrichment plant in Isfahan were hit. The Atomic Energy Agency said four key buildings were also damaged, including a uranium conversion and fuel plate shop. A residential building in northeast Tehran was reduced to rubble in the explosion, and many children were reported to have been killed.

^{Tehran residents watch a fire at the Shahron oil depot, June 15, 2025
Majid Asgaripour / WANA / Reuters / Scanpix / LETA}
Fars news agency reported that 10 children were killed under the rubble. According to the Israeli Defense Forces, more than 80 strategic and military facilities were targeted in the night attacks. More than 170 targets were hit in the three-day conflict.

A firm response from Iran is expected

On the night of June 15, Iran carried out its most powerful retaliatory strike against Israel. About 80 ballistic missiles were fired at Israel. The civilian casualties were serious: four women were killed in the northern city of Tamra, and six people, including two children, were killed in the town of Bat Yam near Tel Aviv. The strike destroyed a high-rise apartment building, and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu personally visited the rescue operations and vowed revenge.

^{Searching for victims and injured people under the rubble of a collapsed building in the Israeli city of Bat Yam
Abir Sultan / EPA / Scanpix / LETA}
More than 200 people were injured to varying degrees across Israel. The Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot and oil plants in Haifa were also damaged. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that Iranian military forces had struck fuel production facilities and energy centers for Israeli fighter jets. However, this information was not officially confirmed by Israeli officials.

The number of victims and casualties is increasing

In the three days of the conflict, the number of casualties among the civilian population of both countries has increased sharply. In Israel, at least 13 people were killed and more than 200 injured in three days, while in Iran, more than 120 people were killed and 900 injured. Israel claims that this statistic includes high-ranking military personnel and engineers involved in the nuclear program.

Israeli warning to the population and the possibility of new strikes

The Israeli army issued a special warning in Persian to the population of the Islamic Republic: all citizens living near weapons production and supporting infrastructure should be evacuated to safe areas. After the warning, several explosions were heard in Tehran, with shells falling in Valiasr Square and Taleghani Street. There were also reports of five car bombings in various cities. Also, according to some sources, nuclear scientists were killed in these explosions.

According to The Jerusalem Post, Mehrabad Airport may also have been attacked. At the same time, the Israeli military reportedly struck the intelligence building of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, killing the organization's head, Mohammad Kadimi, and his deputy. Netanyahu confirmed this information in an interview with Fox News. Some reports also indicate that the "Butcher of Tehran" Ahmadreza Radan was also killed.

Diplomatic compromise and international threats

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced his readiness to sign an agreement that would guarantee the absence of nuclear weapons. At the same time, he expressed doubts that the US administration was involved in planning the Israeli attacks. Iran said that it was ready to stop the conflict in the region, and that it would stop the strikes only if Israel stopped its aggressive actions.

US President Donald Trump, in a statement on the Truth Social network, gave Iran a serious warning: if Iran attacks the United States, it will retaliate with a force unprecedented in history. At the same time, Trump denied US involvement in the bloody conflict and noted that it could be ended with a simple agreement.

Peace and stability in the Middle East is further weakened by three days of wide-ranging conflict. The number of casualties among civilians on both sides is increasing, strategic and economic facilities are being destroyed. And it seems that the world community is still not ready to take a clear and firm position on this conflict.