Photo Credit: Reuters

Tensions in the Middle East sharply escalated after the United States and Israel carried out coordinated air and missile strikes on strategic targets in Iran, hitting military facilities and infrastructure in cities including Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, Qom, and Kermanshah.

The strikes, carried out jointly with the Israel Defense Forces, were described by Washington and Tel Aviv as pre-emptive actions aimed at degrading Iran’s military and strategic capabilities.

Iranian officials say the attacks have resulted in heavy casualties, with dozens of civilians and security personnel killed in multiple locations. Several residential areas and public facilities were damaged, including schools and medical centres. Hospitals in major cities remain on emergency footing as rescue operations continue.

Preliminary figures released by Iranian authorities indicate that more than 100 people have been killed and several hundred injured nationwide, though the numbers are expected to rise as assessments continue. Many of the victims are reported to be women and children caught in airstrikes on densely populated neighbourhoods.

Within hours of the initial attacks, Iran launched waves of missiles and drones at targets in Israel and at US military installations in the Gulf region, including bases in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.

Israeli authorities reported civilian injuries and infrastructure damage, despite air defence systems intercepting several incoming projectiles. Some US facilities sustained minor damage, with limited casualties among personnel.

In a televised address, US President Donald Trump said the operation was intended to neutralise what he described as imminent security threats. Israeli leaders echoed the statement, calling the strikes a necessary act of self-defence.

The escalation has led to widespread airspace closures, disruptions to shipping routes, and heightened security alerts across the region. Several countries have urged restraint, warning that continued hostilities could trigger a broader regional conflict.