Tehran: More than 1,300 people have been killed and nearly 100,000 displaced in Iran as the humanitarian crisis worsens over a week into the ongoing conflict, with relief agencies reporting mounting civilian casualties and growing displacement across affected areas.
According to media reports, the scale of devastation continues to rise as hostilities intensify, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes in search of safety. The mass displacement has strained relief operations, with the UN refugee agency reporting a surge in urgent appeals for humanitarian assistance to support affected communities.
Amid the escalating crisis, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said the Israeli Air Force carried out targeted strikes on multiple Iranian military assets in Tehran. In a post on X, the military said it struck several fuel storage complexes belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the capital.
The IDF said the operation was guided by intelligence inputs and targeted facilities used to distribute fuel to various military entities. According to the Israeli military, the strikes significantly damaged key military infrastructure used by Iranian forces.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Saturday claimed that the United States had destroyed much of Iran’s military capability and leadership. Speaking aboard Air Force One while travelling to Miami, Trump said the US had “decimated their whole evil empire” and made major gains in the conflict.
“We’ve wiped out their navy, 44 ships. We’ve wiped out their air force, every plane. We’ve wiped out most of their missiles,” Trump said, adding that Iranian drone and missile production facilities had also been heavily damaged.
Responding to allegations that the United States was responsible for bombing an elementary girls’ school in Iran, Trump denied the claim and said the strike was likely carried out by Iran itself, citing the alleged inaccuracy of Iranian munitions.
Despite the ongoing hostilities, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff indicated that diplomatic engagement with Iran remains possible. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he said the possibility of a deal would ultimately depend on the US President and Iran’s willingness to shift its position.
The escalating conflict has also raised international concern. UK Member of Parliament Tom Tugendhat warned that the situation could destabilise the wider region, including countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.
He noted that the crisis could have global economic implications, particularly in energy markets, and stressed the need for a swift resolution to avoid broader consequences for economies and households worldwide.
The current escalation follows a joint US-Israel military strike on Iranian territory on February 28 that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with several senior figures, prompting retaliatory action from Tehran.
In response, Iran launched ballistic missiles and drones targeting US assets and allied countries across the region, including Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, further widening the conflict and increasing risks for civilians and expatriates in West Asia. (Agencies)
