Escalation of Tensions: Iranian Casualties Rise Amid Israeli Strikes
On Saturday, Iran's state television reported devastating outcomes from Israeli attacks on Tehran, with initial figures indicating at least 60 fatalities, including 20 children. The strikes targeted a residential building associated with the Ministry of Defense, specifically hitting the Shahid Chamran residential complex in the northeastern part of the capital. While local authorities and the Iranian Red Crescent provided an estimate of a dozen casualties, the Fars agency, linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, reported nearly 80 deaths and over 300 injuries.
The attacks have not only claimed numerous civilian lives but also resulted in the death of two high-ranking military officials: General Mehdi Rabbani, deputy chief of operations of the Armed Forces, and General Gholamreza Mehrabi, deputy head of Intelligence for the General Staff. Reports confirm that these strikes have significantly diminished the command structure of the Iranian Armed Forces, with several other senior military leaders also reported dead.
The ongoing situation has prompted Iran to rethink its diplomatic approach, particularly concerning ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States. Following the attacks, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei criticized the U.S. for allowing such strikes to occur simultaneously while claiming to engage in dialogue. He implied that any negotiations would be futile under current circumstances, suggesting that the U.S. has enabled Israeli aggression.
Tehran's stance remains unyielding; Baghaei emphasized that the Israeli actions had evidently occurred with the tacit approval of Washington. As the aftermath of these strikes continues to unfold, the potential for escalation in military and diplomatic tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States remains a pressing concern.
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