The conflict between Israel and Iran entered its fourth day with escalating intensity, raising the question of a full-scale war in West Asia. In a dramatic escalation, Israeli airstrikes destroyed the headquarters of Iran’s official news outlet, IRIB, during a live broadcasting. This strike followed a stark warning from Israel’s Defence Minister, who had declared the channel was “about to disappear.”
The Israeli government confirmed the attack on the fake news factory, which comes amid reports of simultaneous airstrikes targeting Iranian military facilities in Tehran. Israel’s Defence Minister conveyed the confirmation through official media.
And with a bang and shouts of “Allahu Akhbar”…..just like that. Islamofascist Iranian state TV was bombed off the air. One step closer to the people being freed from decades of Islamist tyranny. pic.twitter.com/PW2RbhTIFJ
— Vivian Bercovici (@VivianBercovici) June 16, 2025
Tensions surged further as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged residents to leave the Iranian capital “as soon as possible.” The Israeli military followed up by issuing its first official evacuation warning for Tehran, specifically advising residents of the northeastern district to leave immediately ahead of more planned strikes on “military infrastructure.”
The rising intensity of the hostilities has triggered a chain of emergency responses. All foreign embassies in Tehran have reportedly shut down operations, and efforts are underway to evacuate Indian students via the Armenian border. International media have captured scenes of panic as residents attempt to flee the Iranian capital in large numbers.
#Iran citizens escape capital #Tehran and markets shut down as Israeli jets dominate city skies and agents on the ground assassinate senior regime officials. Some clips viral on Iranian and Arab social media in this #thread 1/5pic.twitter.com/dFHFbeVeX2
— Ahmed Quraishi (@_AhmedQuraishi) June 16, 2025
Israel has destroyed over 120 of Iran’s missile launchers, roughly one-third of its total, in the past few days. Meanwhile, Iran claims to have retaliated with strikes on key Israeli infrastructure, including an oil refinery and parts of the national power grid. In Israel, several residential buildings have been hit, with explosions lighting up the skies.
So far, 24 people have reportedly died in Israel and 224 in Iran as a result of the ongoing conflict. Sirens have been triggered in northern Israel as Iranian missiles are detected incoming, with the Israeli military deploying defence systems to intercept the projectiles.
Iranian state TV is on fire — a powerful blow to the ayatollahs’ propaganda machine. https://t.co/NDliFZ6GiD pic.twitter.com/NrH3DzFUT5
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 16, 2025
As the strikes continue, U.S. officials have signalled tacit approval for Israel’s ongoing operation, which is expected to last “weeks, not days.” While US President Donald Trump acknowledged that American involvement in the conflict remains a possibility, Iran has rejected any negotiation with the U.S. while its cities remain under attack.
With each passing hour, the crisis appears to be spiralling further, with both nations intensifying strikes. The region teeters on the edge of a broader and bloodier confrontation.
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