Tehran Rocked by Intensified US-Israeli Bombardment
Tehran experienced its most severe night of bombing to date as the United States and Israel escalated missile strikes on the Iranian capital overnight. Israel announced it had launched a broad-scale wave of strikes against the Islamic Republic, openly declaring the overthrow of the regime as a key war aim. The bombardment on Friday morning sent powerful explosions echoing across Tehran, with plumes of smoke and fire illuminating the skies as hybrid drone and missile attacks were launched by Iran in retaliation.
Residents Describe Terrifying Ordeal
Residents of the Iranian capital reported homes shaking violently, complete internet and power outages plunging them into darkness, and constant explosions creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. A man in his thirties told the BBC, "The house was shaking for five minutes straight. Last night was the worst night." He added that sleep was nearly impossible due to the relentless bombardment. Another resident described waking to explosions at 5am, saying, "It was terrible. They were hitting so hard that all the windows were shaking. It sounded as if a dragon was making noises."
Mounting Casualties and International Response
The human cost continues to rise dramatically, with at least 1,332 people killed in Iran since attacks began last week. This includes reports that more than 160 people, predominantly children, perished at an elementary school in Minab. The UN Human Rights Office has called for a full investigation into this attack, while US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed the United States is investigating the incident. President Donald Trump stated he would be personally involved in appointing a successor to the assassinated Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the US warned that attacks would "surge dramatically" in coming days.
Conflict Spreads Across the Region
The violence has spilled beyond Iran's borders, creating a regional humanitarian crisis. Iranian retaliatory strikes have hit several Gulf countries, while Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 50 people and displaced approximately 100,000. The UN Refugee Agency has declared a "major humanitarian emergency" in Lebanon as residents flee Beirut under continued Israeli bombardment targeting Hezbollah.
Jamal Seifeddin, 43, who fled Beirut's southern suburbs, described sleeping on streets in the capital's downtown district: "We're sleeping here in the streets - some in cars, some on the street, some on the beach. I've never slept on the ground like this. I've been forced to. No one even brought a blanket." Roula Zaaiter of the Lebanese Women Democratic Gathering noted, "People are living in a state of anxiety and fear - some people are still sleeping in their cars on the roads, while others sleep under trees or near bridges."
Children Among Latest Victims
The conflict's toll on civilians was further highlighted by an Israeli army raid on a home in Mashghara, Lebanon, which killed two children - a five-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy, as confirmed by Lebanese health authorities. The Israeli army had previously targeted the Bekaa valley, accusing it of harboring Hezbollah infrastructure. In response, Hezbollah has warned Israelis to evacuate areas bordering Lebanon as fighting intensifies, signaling no immediate end to the violence that has gripped the Middle East.
