Iran’s health ministry gave a detailed update on Sunday. According to them, Israeli strikes lasted 65 hours. As a result, 224 people died and 1,277 were injured. Spokesman Hossein Kermanpour wrote on X, “224 women, men and children have been martyred.” He also added, “90 percent of those killed had been civilians.”
Military and Nuclear Leaders Also Killed
In addition, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard confirmed major losses. They said intelligence chief Mohammad Kazemi died in the strikes. Moreover, two senior generals were also killed. Some nuclear scientists and other key military officers died as well.
Israel Shares Its Own Casualties
Meanwhile, Israel reported 14 deaths since Friday. They also said 390 people were wounded in the recent attacks.
Iran Vows Strong Retaliation
Later that day, Iran warned it would hit back hard. Colonel Reza Sayyad, a military spokesperson, spoke to AFP. He said, “The scale of the devastating response by Iran's brave fighters will certainly encompass all parts of the occupied territories (Israel).”
Furthermore, he warned Israeli civilians, “Leave the occupied territories because they will certainly no longer be habitable in the future.” He also said bomb shelters “will not guarantee security.”
Netanyahu Defends Military Action
Earlier on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on Fox News. During the interview, he said Israel would continue military operations against Iran. He explained that Iran’s nuclear and missile programs are dangerous.
“We're geared to do whatever is necessary to achieve our dual aim, to remove ... two existential threats - the nuclear threat and the ballistic missile threat,” Netanyahu said.
He added, “We did act - to save ourselves, but also, I think, to not only protect ourselves, but protect the world from this incendiary regime. We can't have the world's most dangerous regime have the world's most dangerous weapons.”
In summary, the Iran-Israel conflict continues to escalate. Iran says most of the dead are civilians. Israel insists it is targeting nuclear threats. As both sides exchange threats and attacks, the region faces growing danger.