Israel and Iran proceed strikes for third straight day, over 230 lifeless and a whole bunch wounded | High updates

Israel and Iran exchanged heavy missile strikes for the third consecutive day on Sunday, regardless of worldwide requires restraint. The continued battle, which erupted on Friday, has killed greater than 230 folks and left a whole bunch wounded, with each side vowing additional retaliation.

Listed here are the highest updates up to now:

• Iran reported devastating Israeli aerial assaults that focused its oil infrastructure, army management, and inhabitants centres.
• The Iranian Well being Ministry mentioned 224 folks had been killed and 1,277 wounded up to now, whereas the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists claimed a considerably greater loss of life toll: 406 lifeless and 654 injured.
• Israel, in the meantime, mentioned Iran has launched over 270 missiles at its territory since Friday, of which 22 penetrated its multi-layered air defences.
• Fourteen Israelis have died and not less than 390 others have been injured.

Focused assassinations and strategic infrastructure hits

Among the many Iranian officers killed within the strikes was Common Mohammad Kazemi, the chief of intelligence for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), together with two different generals. Israeli strikes reportedly hit missile websites, Iran’s Defence Ministry, and amenities linked to its air-defence programme.

Iranian authorities additionally confirmed assaults on key authorities buildings, together with the Overseas Ministry, and power installations such because the Shahran oil depot in north Tehran and a gasoline tank facility within the south. Fires and explosions have been reported from a number of websites, together with an Iranian refuelling plane in Mashhad — Israel’s deepest strike into Iranian territory but.

Deputy Overseas Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh shared photos of the closely broken Overseas Ministry, whereas state tv confirmed distressing visuals of civilians, together with kids, being pulled from rubble.

Civilians bear the brunt as Tehran scrambles for shelter

With airstrikes more and more hitting residential areas, Iran’s Well being Ministry claimed that 90 per cent of the casualties have been civilians. In anticipation of additional assaults, metro stations and mosques in Tehran have been opened as emergency bomb shelters from Sunday evening. Officers denied gasoline shortages, however lengthy queues have been seen at fuel stations as residents fled the capital.

Site visitors police closed roads main out of Tehran to regulate panic-induced congestion, whereas air defence methods continued to fireside by means of the evening.

Israeli cities hit, kids among the many lifeless

In Israel, air-raid sirens echoed by means of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa, pushing residents into bomb shelters. A missile hit a high-rise in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, killing six folks, together with a 10-year-old boy and a nine-year-old woman. Police mentioned 180 have been injured within the metropolis, and 7 folks remained unaccounted for.

In Tamra, a northern Arab-majority city, 4 folks, together with a 13-year-old, have been killed in one other strike. A separate assault on Rehovot injured 42 folks, and the Weizmann Institute of Science reported minor injury to its campus. An oil refinery in Haifa was additionally hit.

Israel’s major worldwide airport and airspace remained shut for a 3rd day as a result of ongoing risk.

Diplomatic fallout and cancelled nuclear talks

Amid the violence, a report by the Related Press quoted a US official stating that US President Donald Trump had blocked an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who oversees army technique and the Revolutionary Guard.

Israel has mentioned its present offensive is geared toward halting Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Nevertheless, scheduled atomic talks between Iran and the US, which have been to happen in Oman on Sunday, have been cancelled following the newest escalation.

With each side hardening their positions and civilian casualties mounting, considerations are rising over a wider regional fallout.

(Based mostly on inputs from AP)