Civilian Deaths Rise to 18 as US-Israeli Strikes Hit Iran

At least 18 people, including two children, have been killed in fresh strikes in Alborz Province, near the capital Tehran, as the conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel continues to escalate. The early morning attack also injured 24 others, according to local officials.

A deputy governor of Alborz Province confirmed the casualties, describing the strike as a direct hit on residential areas. Iranian authorities alleged that the strikes were carried out by US-Israeli forces, though independent verification remains limited due to restricted access to the affected locations.

The latest deaths come amid a growing humanitarian crisis in Iran. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 3,597 people have been killed since the conflict escalated, including 1,665 civilians—among them 248 children—as well as 1,221 military personnel and 711 others whose status is unconfirmed.

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Iranian officials have yet to release an updated comprehensive casualty figure, while international media face difficulties verifying reports due to access restrictions. Human rights organisations have raised concerns over the rising civilian toll, warning that continued strikes on populated areas could worsen the humanitarian situation.

The conflict, which has intensified in recent weeks with repeated air raids and missile attacks, has heightened fears of wider regional instability. Analysts say the escalation threatens both civilian safety and the broader Middle East security environment.

Despite international calls for restraint, attacks on residential areas in Alborz and other provinces highlight the vulnerability of civilians. Observers are urging urgent diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and protect non-combatants in Iran.

Civilian Deaths Rise to 18 as US-Israeli Strikes Hit Iran

Iran Threatens Severe Retaliation After Israel Kills Quds Force Commander

Israel has announced the killing of a senior Iranian military commander, Asghar Bagheri, in a targeted airstrike in Tehran, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.

According to the Israeli military, the strike—carried out by its air force—eliminated Bagheri, who led the Quds Force special operations unit (Unit 840) since 2019. The military described him as a key figure involved in coordinating attacks against Israeli and American targets worldwide.

The Quds Force, a unit of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), oversees the country’s overseas military and intelligence operations, including support for allied armed groups across the Middle East. Israeli officials said Bagheri had held several influential roles within the unit and was considered a high-value target.

Iran has yet to officially confirm the killing but has issued strong warnings of retaliation. A spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters cautioned that further escalation could have catastrophic consequences.

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The spokesperson warned that if hostilities continue to expand, the “entire region will turn into hell,” adding that attempts to defeat Iran have “turned into a swamp” that would ultimately trap its adversaries.

The development comes amid heightened tensions involving US President Donald Trump, who recently issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to either strike a deal or reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route. Trump warned that failure to comply would result in severe consequences, further intensifying fears of a wider regional conflict.

The crisis follows the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in a missile strike earlier this year—an event that triggered retaliatory attacks by Iran on Israeli and US positions.

Since then, the conflict has escalated into a broader confrontation, disrupting global trade after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a route responsible for transporting about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply.

Security analysts warn that Israel’s continued targeting of senior Iranian commanders, combined with escalating rhetoric from Tehran and Washington, could push the Middle East toward a full-scale war with serious global economic and security implications.

In summary, Israel’s killing of a top Quds Force commander in Tehran has intensified the already volatile Middle East crisis, raising concerns about further retaliation and a possible wider war.

Iran Threatens Severe Retaliation After Israel Kills Quds Force Commander

Trump Claims US Sent Weapons to Iranian Protesters but Diverted

US President Donald Trump has revealed that the United States attempted to secretly supply weapons to Iranian protesters, but the operation failed after the arms were allegedly diverted before reaching their intended recipients.

Speaking at a White House Easter event, Trump said the weapons were meant to support Iranian anti-government protesters in defending themselves against authorities amid ongoing unrest. According to him, the US sent “a lot of guns” intended to empower citizens resisting government forces.

However, the plan did not succeed. Trump disclosed that the weapons never reached the protesters, claiming that those entrusted with delivering them withheld the arms. He expressed strong frustration over the outcome, warning that the individuals or group responsible would “pay a big price.”

Although Trump did not publicly name those involved during his remarks, he had earlier indicated that Kurdish intermediaries were responsible for diverting the weapons. He alleged that the arms were routed through Kurdish channels into Iran but were never passed on to the protesters as planned.

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The accusation has been strongly denied by Kurdish groups, who have rejected claims that they intercepted or kept any US-supplied weapons. The conflicting accounts have added a layer of controversy to an already sensitive geopolitical situation.

The disclosure is being widely interpreted as a rare acknowledgment of a covert US effort to influence internal developments in Iran. Analysts warn that such statements could heighten tensions between Washington and Tehran, especially at a time of escalating rhetoric and threats.

The development also lends weight to longstanding claims by Iranian authorities that foreign powers have played a role in fueling domestic protests. With tensions already high, Trump’s remarks could further complicate diplomatic dynamics and deepen mistrust between the two countries.

In summary, Trump’s claim that the US attempted to arm Iranian protesters—but failed due to alleged diversion—has sparked fresh debate over foreign involvement in Iran’s unrest and raised concerns about its broader geopolitical implications.

Trump Claims US Sent Weapons to Iranian Protesters but Diverted