Civilian casualties in Iran continue to rise amid the ongoing conflict with the U.S. and Israel, with reports of over 1,300 deaths since military action began.
The ongoing conflict between Iran and the U.S., along with Israel, has marked its second week, bringing continued civilian casualties in Iran. On October 10, Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's ambassador to the UN, disclosed during a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York that civilian deaths had reached over 1,300 since the onset of bombings by U.S. and Israeli forces. Notably, on September 28, an attack on a primary school in Minab, southern Iran, resulted in the deaths of at least 175 individuals, including students and teachers.
Additionally, there are contrasting statements from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the military operations. During a phone interview with Axios on October 12, Trump asserted that the military operations would "end soon" while simultaneously advocating for the continuation of current military engagement, indicating potential confusion in U.S. strategy. This mixed messaging raises questions about the United States' long-term objectives in the region amidst the crisis.
On the Iranian side, new supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei delivered a strong message through state media on the same day, insisting that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz must persist as a means to apply pressure on adversaries. He further warned that all U.S. military bases in the Middle East should be shut down immediately and would be targeted, showcasing Iran's firmness and readiness to retaliate against perceived threats, contributing to escalating tensions in the region.
