Rama Krishna Sangem
Mass killings and devastating damage to buildings, infrastructure are on from both sides – Israel and Iran – in the ongoing war. Four days are over and there is no sign of any ceasefire or peace talks. Israel and Iran continued to exchange missile strikes between Sunday night and early Monday, ignoring international appeals for a ceasefire as hostilities entered their third consecutive day.
Tehran accused Israel of targeting its oil refineries and killing the intelligence chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) along with two other senior generals. Iran also said several population centres were hit in the latest wave of airstrikes. According to Iranian health officials, the death toll since the Israeli offensive began on Friday has climbed to 224, with 1,277 others injured. Authorities did not specify how many of the casualties were civilians or military personnel.
Israel, targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and military leadership, said Tehran has launched more than 270 missiles since Friday. While most were intercepted by Israel’s multi-layered air defence system, 22 managed to breach the shield, hitting residential suburbs, killing 14 people, and injuring 390 others, according to news agency Associated Press.
Israel too is suffering damages
Air raid sirens blared across Jerusalem late on Sunday, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirming “Iranian missiles incoming”. Several videos captured the dramatic scene: missiles streaking over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, many intercepted mid-air by Israel’s multi-layered defence system.
In swift retaliation, Israel reportedly struck back with targeted airstrikes on Iranian positions, prompting Iran to activate its air defence systems in the southwest, according to local media.
Claiming near-total freedom in Iranian airspace, Israel said its Sunday strikes targeted Iran’s Defense Ministry, missile launch sites, and factories making air defence components. Iran acknowledged the strikes killed more top generals, including Revolutionary Guard intelligence chief Brigadier General Mohammad Kazemi and his deputy, General Hassan Mohaqiq.
In a striking revelation of how far Israel was willing to escalate, a US official told the Associated Press that US President Donald Trump blocked an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — the country’s highest authority, who holds sweeping powers over state policy, the military, and the elite Revolutionary Guard.
Where does India stand ?
As far as India is concerned, we only made appeals to both the sides to stop the war and hold talks. India is closely monitoring the security situation in Iran and engaging with its citizens and students residing in the conflict-torn Middle East country. For India, both Israel and Iran are friends and we maintain close ties with them. This is a tricky situation for India to side with any of them, but there lies a risk of becoming unfriendly to both of them too.
