by Our Correspondent in Doha
The Israeli military’s recent escalation of airstrikes on Iranian territory has led to the deaths of at least 45 women and children, Iranian officials reported Monday, as the country mourns civilian casualties and prepares for further retaliation.
In a televised interview, Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani accused Israel of “imposing war” on the Iranian people. “Since June 13, the Israeli regime has martyred 45 women and children and wounded at least 75 more in its brutal campaign of air raids,” Mohajerani said, condemning what she described as an all-out war against Iran’s civilians and infrastructure.
Among the most shocking incidents was an Israeli strike on the Farabi Hospital in the western city of Kermanshah earlier Monday, which Mohajerani denounced as “a clear testament to the savage nature of the Zionist regime.”
“These attacks prove the falseness of Israel’s claims that it does not target civilians,” she added, warning that Iran’s response will be decisive and far-reaching.
In addition to residential areas in Tehran, Israeli strikes have also targeted nuclear and military facilities across the country. Iran confirmed that a number of high-ranking military commanders and nuclear scientists were among those killed.
Further intensifying the crisis, the Israeli Air Force reportedly targeted the headquarters of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) on Monday evening. Photos released from the scene show damage to the building and emergency services on site. While the attack disrupted broadcast operations briefly, IRIB resumed normal activity minutes later. Initial reports confirmed several injuries, but no fatalities.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei condemned the Israeli strikes in a national address, calling the campaign “a grave mistake” that will have devastating consequences for the regime in Tel Aviv.
“By God’s grace, the consequences of this reckless aggression will bring that regime to ruin,” Khamenei declared. “Our Armed Forces are ready, and the nation stands united behind them. Every political faction, every citizen—whether critical or supportive—has joined hands to defend our homeland.”
Over the past four days, Iran has launched several waves of missile attacks on Israeli targets in retaliation, including what officials have described as precision strikes on military infrastructure. The Iranian operation, dubbed Operation True Promise III, marks one of the most serious escalations between the two nations in recent history.
As fears of a broader regional war mount, international observers and human rights organizations have called for an immediate ceasefire and independent investigations into alleged war crimes committed during the ongoing hostilities.
