Iran Reports Over 600 Deaths from Israeli Strikes Within 12 Days
Iran Reports Over 600 Deaths from Israeli Strikes Within 12 Days
Iran’s Health Minister, Mohammad Reza Zafarghani, has reported that Israeli strikes on Iranian soil have killed at least 606 people and injured more than 5,000 since June 13.
He revealed that over 100 of those deaths occurred in the last 24 hours alone, making it the deadliest day since the onset of the attacks.
As reported by the BBC, the casualty figures—published by Iranian state media—come amid escalating regional tensions, following what Iran refers to as “criminal aggression” by both the United States and Israel.
While details of the attacks remain contested, Iran is positioning the violence as part of a broader campaign against its sovereignty.
In a related development, Iran’s Foreign Ministry sought to distance neighbouring Qatar from Monday’s drone and missile assault on the US-run Al Udeid Air Base in the Gulf state.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqai said the attack was a “legitimate act of self-defence” by Iran and had “nothing to do with Qatar.”
Iran remains fully committed to its good-neighbourliness policy with respect to the State of Qatar and other neighbouring countries,” Baqai said on social media platform X.
“We will not allow US and Israeli aggression to sow division between us and our brotherly neighbours.”
In the Iranian capital, Tehran, pro-government supporters were seen taking to the streets in cars and on motorcycles, waving the national flag and blasting patriotic music from speakers, a show of defiance amid uncertainty. However, not all Iranians appear convinced by the government’s posture.
One Tehran resident told BBC Persian he believed the recent ceasefire announcement was a strategic ploy by Israel and the US.
“They’re targeting Khamenei. There’s no such thing as a ceasefire without strategic intent. The US and Israel never act without a motive,” he said, expressing doubt that the worst has passed.
The situation remains highly volatile, as diplomatic manoeuvres and military actions continue to escalate. Analysts caution that without swift de-escalation, the conflict could widen, potentially involving additional regional and international players.
