Israel Kills Top Iranian Commander as Conflict Deepens: Over 430 Dead Amid Escalating Air War
Jerusalem / Istanbul / Washington Tensions between Israel and Iran reached a deadly new height on Saturday as Israeli forces confirmed the assassination of a senior Iranian commander, Saeed Izadi, during ongoing cross-border airstrikes that have left hundreds dead and reignited fears of a broader regional war.
Izadi, a veteran leader of the Quds Force’s Palestine Corps the foreign operations wing of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards was reportedly killed in a precision Israeli strike on an apartment in Qom. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz hailed the operation as a “major achievement for Israeli intelligence and the Air Force,” alleging that Izadi had played a key role in arming Hamas ahead of its October 2023 assault on Israel.
Mounting Death Toll on Both Sides
As the conflict enters its second week, Iranian authorities report at least 430 deaths and 3,500 injuries across multiple cities. Meanwhile, 24 civilians have been confirmed dead in Israel following missile attacks launched from Iranian territory, making it one of the most severe confrontations between the two historic rivals.
According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, the death toll in Iran may be significantly higher reaching as many as 639 fatalities, including top military officials and nuclear scientists. Among the dead are 15 air defence officers and soldiers, as named by Iran’s Nour News.
Diplomacy Under Fire: Iran Rules Out Nuclear Talks Amid Airstrikes
The assassination of Izadi and other top figures comes amid a diplomatic deadlock. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, attending an emergency Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Istanbul, stated bluntly that Tehran would not resume nuclear negotiations while under attack.
“We cannot negotiate with the U.S. when our people are being bombarded under American support,” he said, pointing fingers at what he called indirect U.S. complicity in Israel’s military campaign.
Araqchi’s comments followed unproductive talks in Geneva, where European foreign ministers sought to broker a diplomatic breakthrough. The Iranian side, however, maintained that negotiations could only resume if hostilities ceased.
Trump’s Delicate Balancing Act
Former President Donald Trump, who is weighing whether the United States should formally enter the conflict on Israel’s side, said he would decide “within two weeks.”
“Iran is on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon within weeks, maybe months,” Trump warned. “We can’t let that happen.”
However, he admitted that diplomacy looked unlikely at the moment.
“Iran doesn’t want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us. But if Israel is winning, why would we pressure them to stop?”
Strikes on Strategic Sites and Civilian Areas
Israeli warplanes have reportedly struck missile storage facilities, launch pads, and even Iran’s Isfahan nuclear facility though Iranian sources claim no radioactive leakage has occurred.
Iran, in turn, launched multiple retaliatory attacks, including a missile strike on a hospital in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba. Iran’s Health Minister Mohammadreza Zafarqandi also accused Israel of bombing three hospitals and six ambulances, killing two medical staff and a child claims Israel has not independently verified. The Israeli military responded by saying only military targets were being pursued but acknowledged the possibility of collateral damage.
Missiles Over Tel Aviv: Civilian Tensions Escalate
In the early hours of Saturday, air raid sirens echoed across central Israel and the West Bank as Iran launched another barrage of missiles. Explosions and air defence interceptions lit up the skies over Tel Aviv, though no casualties were reported.
Ali Shamkhani, a key adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, claimed he survived an Israeli strike. In a defiant message, he stated, “It was my fate to stay with a wounded body, so I remain the reason for the enemy’s hostility.”
Global Reactions: Erdogan Accuses Israel of Sabotaging Peace
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accused Israel of deliberately escalating tensions to derail diplomatic efforts, especially as the Geneva talks were scheduled to resume.
“Israel’s timing shows it does not seek a peaceful resolution,” Erdoğan told OIC members, calling for immediate de-escalation.
Russia and China joined the chorus, urging both nations to step back from the brink and return to dialogue.
No End in Sight: Israel Vows to Continue
Israel remains resolute. Government officials have vowed not to halt operations until Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and ballistic missile capabilities are fully dismantled describing them as existential threats to Israeli security.
While Iranian officials have hinted at potential limits on uranium enrichment, they firmly reject any attempt to eliminate their nuclear program entirely, especially under military pressure
As missiles rain and diplomacy stalls, the Israel-Iran conflict teeters on the edge of a larger regional war. With mounting casualties, rising international alarm, and no clear path to peace, the world watches anxiously for signs of a breakthrough however faint.
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Israel Kills Top Iranian Commander as Conflict Deepens: Over 430 Dead Amid Escalating Air War