The Iranian government has urged its 10 million residents in the capital to evacuate amid ongoing military strikes from the USA and Israel. Recent reports indicate that over 200 people have been killed and more than 700 injured in the violence, with a particularly devastating strike on a school in southern Iran claiming 85 lives. News agency AFP was unable to verify these numbers due to access restrictions to the impacted areas.

As the military offensive has escalated, it has not been limited to Iran's territory. The United Arab Emirates reported a civilian casualty due to rockets, with damage also reported in major cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Explosions from Tehran's retaliatory strikes and intercepted missiles were heard across several neighboring countries, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Kuwait. This widespread impact highlights the conflict's regional ramifications and the potential for further escalation within the Middle East.

In the context of this escalation, Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have indicated that any attacks on Iranian territory would be met with severe retaliation. They have declared American and Israeli military sites engaged in operations against Iran as 'legitimate targets', signaling a more aggressive stance in their military response. Simultaneously, Iran has warned maritime vessels about the safety of navigation in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the geopolitical stakes involved in this conflict.