Israel, Iran trade deadly strikes as conflict intensifies
Israel struck military and energy targets across Iran for a third day, as Iranian missiles hit major cities in response. Civilian casualties are rising on both sides, and fears of a wider war are growing.
Israeli death toll rises after overnight strikes
The death toll in Israel rose on Sunday, with at least 10 more people killed in Iranian missile attacks, according to the Magen David Adom rescue service. In Bat Yam, in central Israel, four people died on Saturday night when a missile struck an apartment building. Israeli soldiers continued to search the rubble of destroyed residential buildings on Sunday looking for survivors.
Iran silent on casualties as strikes continue
Iran has not updated its official casualty figures since Saturday, when its ambassador to the United Nations reported 78 dead — including several senior generals and nine top nuclear scientists — and more than 320 wounded. The Washington-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported Sunday that Israeli strikes have killed or wounded at least 860 people.
Shelter and solidarity amid strikes
Israeli civilians took shelter in bomb shelters and organized blood drives to help the wounded, while in Iran, celebrations of the Shiite holiday Eid al-Ghadir on Saturday were accompanied by demonstrations (pictured) condemning the Israeli airstrikes.
Top of the G7 agenda
Before leaving Berlin on Sunday for the G7 summit in Canada, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned of the threat posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions, saying, "Iran cannot be allowed to develop nuclear weapons or to have them." He added that Israel's recent strikes were a response to Iran's nuclear progress, before noting the issue will top the summit's agenda when it begins on Sunday.
Germany increases security amid Iran tensions
Germany said Sunday it is stepping up protection of Israeli and Jewish institutions — including on the street of the closed Israeli embassy in Berlin (pictured) — amid fears of possible Iranian reprisals. "We are preparing ourselves in case Iran targets Israeli or Jewish institutions here," Merz said before leaving for the G7. France has already implemented similar measures.
Nuclear talks cancelled
The sixth round of indirect US-Iran nuclear talks, scheduled for Sunday, was cancelled, mediator Oman confirmed. Tehran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi called the talks "unjustifiable" following Israel's recent strikes. In a statement carried by Iran’s IRNA news agency, Araghchi condemned the attacks as "a direct result of Washington's support." The US has denied involvement in the strikes.
Iran’s uranium enrichment nears weapons-grade levels
Iran has consistently maintained its nuclear program is peaceful, and US and international assessments indicate it has not sought nuclear weapons since 2003. However, Iran's uranium enrichment stockpile is close to weapons-grade levels, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's nuclear watchdog. Facilities like Isfahan (pictured) have been a key target for Israeli strikes.