Israel, the United States, and China have all urged civilians to leave Tehran, raising fears that the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel could soon turn into a full-scale war. The warnings came as Israel intensified its military campaign deep inside Iran’s territory, with heavy airstrikes targeting key nuclear and military sites.
IDF Issues Urgent Warning to Tehran Residents
On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released an urgent message on social media, calling on residents of specific areas in Tehran to evacuate immediately. The warning, shared by IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson Colonel Avichay Adraee, stated that Israeli forces were preparing to bomb “military infrastructure” in the capital. The language of this message closely matched previous alerts issued by Israel to civilians in Gaza, signaling the seriousness of the operation.
Israeli Airstrikes Intensify Across Iran
The Israeli military launched its offensive inside Iran last Friday, targeting sensitive locations connected to Iran’s nuclear and defense programs. According to Israeli officials, the strikes have already damaged major oil, gas, and missile facilities. They also claimed that Israeli jets have established air dominance over parts of Iranian airspace, including above Tehran. These actions mark a bold escalation in the long-running conflict between the two nations.
Trump Warns of Military Action, Demands Evacuation
US President Donald Trump also issued a warning, calling for an immediate evacuation of Tehran. In a post on his platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” He reaffirmed his firm stance against Iran’s nuclear program, saying, “IRAN CANNOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON.” Speaking at the G7 summit in Italy, Trump hinted at possible US action but stopped short of confirming involvement. “As soon as I leave here, we're going to be doing something. But I have to leave here,” he told reporters, leaving his intentions vague.
China Advises Its Citizens to Leave the Region
The Chinese government also took precautionary steps by urging its citizens in the region to leave. The Chinese embassy in Tel Aviv issued an advisory asking nationals to exit Israel and nearby areas through land crossings into Jordan. The embassy cited growing violence, closure of Israeli airspace, and an increase in civilian deaths as reasons for this move. The statement expressed concern over the rapidly deteriorating security situation.
Iran Threatens to Exit Nuclear Treaty
In response to the Israeli attacks, Iran warned that it might withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a key global agreement aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. A spokesperson for the Iranian government said the country was reviewing “all options” following the attacks, suggesting that Tehran might abandon its commitments under the treaty if the situation worsens.
Civilian Casualties Continue to Rise
Since the strikes began on Friday, Iranian officials have reported the deaths of at least 224 people, most of them civilians. On the Israeli side, authorities have confirmed 24 deaths and over 590 injuries. Both sides have suffered significant losses, and the numbers continue to rise as the conflict escalates.
Conflict Escalates Beyond Proxy War
This latest confrontation is the most serious face-off between Iran and Israel so far. Although the two countries have been adversaries for years, fighting mainly through cyberattacks, assassinations, and proxy groups, the current clash has taken a direct and dangerous turn. The conflict sharply escalated after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, which triggered regional unrest. That attack drew in Hezbollah, Iranian-backed militias, and led to several direct confrontations between Iran and Israel.
Now, with warplanes in the skies above Tehran and world leaders calling for evacuations, the region stands on the brink of a broader and potentially catastrophic war — one that could carry nuclear consequences.