By Forum staff writer
Israel says it has carried out airstrikes on what it described as security headquarters across the Iranian capital, Tehran, as military operations continue to intensify inside Iran and across the wider Middle East.
The latest strikes come amid a rapidly escalating regional conflict that is also affecting Lebanon. Reporting from Beirut, BBC correspondent Wyre Davies said Israeli bombing operations there appear to be increasing in scale and frequency, raising fears of a broader confrontation.
Civilian casualties in Iran are mounting. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 1,097 civilians have been killed since attacks by Israel and the United States began on Saturday. The group warned that the humanitarian situation is worsening by the day as air raids continue in major cities.
Residents in Tehran described growing fear and uncertainty. One man told the BBC that conditions in the city are deteriorating rapidly, saying life is becoming more difficult with each passing day as explosions and emergency sirens disrupt daily routines.
The conflict has also spilled into the Gulf region. On Tuesday, an Iranian drone struck the United States consulate in Dubai, while an Iranian missile hit a United States military base in Qatar. No official figures on casualties or damage from those incidents have yet been released, but the attacks mark a significant expansion of hostilities beyond Iran and Israel.
Elsewhere, an Iranian navy ship is reported to be sinking near Sri Lanka. Sailors on board were rescued, though authorities have not confirmed the cause of the incident. Investigations are expected as regional tensions continue to rise.
Amid the growing crisis, the United Kingdom has confirmed details of a repatriation flight for its nationals in the region. The flight will depart from Muscat in Oman at 23:00 local time, which is 19:00 GMT, as part of efforts to evacuate citizens affected by the conflict.
Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation have so far shown limited progress, with analysts warning that continued attacks could further destabilize the Middle East and draw more countries into the confrontation.
