Tehran bombardments by US-Israel kill over 1,200, Iran Says

Iran’s health authorities said Monday that more than 1,200 people have been killed and thousands more injured in a sustained bombardment by United States and Israeli forces that has hit the Iranian capital and cities across the country, in one of the deadliest phases of the widening Middle East conflict.

The toll was disclosed by Iranian Deputy Health Minister Ali Jafarian, who spoke with international media, saying the strikes have largely impacted civilians who “were living in their homes or at their workplace.” Officials reported the dead include hundreds of women and children, with victims ranging from infants to the elderly.

According to Iranian health officials, at least 1,255 people in Iran have died in the attacks since the US‑Israel campaign began on Feb. 28, with more than 12,000 wounded. Among the dead were more than 200 children and several healthcare workers. Hospitals and clinics have also suffered significant damage, with dozens of facilities rendered inoperable and ambulances destroyed.

The World Health Organization has warned of escalating public health threats as emergency services struggle to cope and essential infrastructure continues to be hit. Verified reports by health monitors indicate that dozens of hospitals, schools, and other civilian targets have been struck in what the WHO called a violation of international humanitarian law.

Late Saturday, strikes on major oil storage facilities in Tehran sparked huge fires and black smoke that blanketed the city, prompting authorities to warn of toxic fumes and acid rain that could pose long‑term health and environmental dangers. Tehran residents described the air as nearly unbreathable in some districts.

Deputy Minister Jafarian urged vulnerable populations — especially children and the elderly — to remain indoors with windows closed as authorities assess the risks posed by hazardous air pollution. Iranian officials also highlighted the broader environmental impact on soil and water supplies.

Iran says more than 200 cities have been struck since the conflict began, with explosions reported in Tehran and other provinces overnight. The United States and Israel have defended the operation as targeting military infrastructure, while insisting efforts are underway to avoid civilian harm.

International calls for de‑escalation have increased as the conflict shows no immediate sign of ending. Analysts warn that without diplomatic breakthroughs, fighting could continue for weeks or months, further worsening the humanitarian toll in the region.

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