A devastating missile strike hit a 14-story residential building in Tehran, Iran’s capital, on Friday morning, resulting in significant loss of life. According to local broadcaster IRIB News, at least 60 people, including 20 children as young as nine months old, were killed in the Israeli strike on the apartment block. The building partially collapsed due to the strike, and rescue efforts are ongoing.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) targeted multiple sites across Iran on Friday, including uranium enrichment facilities, in what West Jerusalem described as a preemptive measure to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear bomb. Iran has consistently denied pursuing a military nuclear program. In response to the Israeli attack, Iran launched multiple volleys of ballistic missiles at targets in Israel, killing at least three people and injuring over 150, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
The aftermath of the strike on the residential building in Tehran has been dire, with 38 bodies recovered from the rubble so far. Search operations are ongoing, and heavy machinery is being used to clear debris. IRIB News footage showed the extent of the destruction, highlighting the challenges faced by rescue teams. Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Iravani, told the Security Council that 78 people, including senior military officials, had been killed and over 320 others injured in the Israeli strikes on Friday. However, it is unclear if the fatalities mentioned in the IRIB News report are part of the figure announced by Iravani or if they represent additional casualties.
The conflict between Israel and Iran escalated further on Saturday, with Israel resuming its attacks. The Fars news agency reported explosions in several cities in western Iran, including Khorramabad and Kermanshah, as well as in the country’s East Azerbaijan Province. The ongoing violence has raised concerns about the escalating tensions between the two nations and the potential for further bloodshed. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is closely monitoring developments, hoping for a resolution to the conflict that will prevent more loss of life and promote peace in the region.
