Israel and Iran Exchange Attacks: Over 200 People Dead

Since Israel’s surprise attack on Iran last Friday, June 13, Israel has launched further missiles upon the Iranian capital of Tehran, setting the city ablaze. In retaliation, Iran has launched volleys of missiles at Israel, further escalating the destruction on both sides.

The conflict between Israel and Iran has lasted for several decades, stemming from the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The new Iranian regime viewed Israel as an enemy to Islam, initiating the rising hostility between the two nations. Israel sees Iran’s development of nuclear weapons as a sign of aggression and a direct threat. On the other hand, Iran believes that Israel has occupied Muslim lands and displaced Palestinians.

In response, Israel has taken active measures to disrupt Iran’s nuclear production. The country has directed several attacks to Tehran’s primary fuel depot and other sites crucial to Iran’s nuclear program.

These recent strikes have been some of the most dangerous attacks in the past several decades of this conflict. According to Iranian authorities, more than 220 people, mostly women and children, have died since Friday. Over the same period, Israel has reported 24 deaths.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called upon Iranians to rebel against Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei. While some Iranians have taken up the call and celebrated Iran’s defeats, others are simply shaken by the constant destruction and death.

One Iranian woman said she initially felt excited about seeing Iranian military officials die, as they had long remained a symbol of absolute power, seeming immortal. However, her excitement quickly faded when she realized the destruction around her.

“But from the second day, when I heard that regular people – people I didn’t know, people like me – had also been killed, I started to feel sorrow, fear and sadness,” she said.

While America has not been directly involved in the war yet, President Donald Trump has publicly stated his intention to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

“Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social media platform regarding his previous arrangements with Iran. “What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”

Recently, Israel had devised a plan to assassinate Khamenei. However, when the nation informed Trump of the plan, Trump reportedly “vetoed” the operation, with the White House making it clear to Israeli officials that Trump was opposed to the move.

Articles:

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/trump-urges-tehran-evacuation-iran-israel-conflict-enters-fifth-day-2025-06-17/

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06/15/world/iran-israel-nuclear

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clylwvzxy4wo

https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-iran-attack-strikes-news-06-16-25-intl-hnk

https://nypost.com/2025/06/15/world-news/israel-planned-to-assassinate-irans-supreme-leader-khamenei-but-trump-say-no-report/