Jerusalem: Israel announced on Saturday that its forces had killed three senior Iranian commanders, including an official responsible for coordination with Hamas, as the conflict with Iran entered its second week. The ongoing hostilities have seen a continued exchange of missile and drone attacks, following Israel's unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran.
According to France24.com, Israel's military reported a successful strike in Qom, south of Tehran, targeting Saeed Izadi, a top Iranian official linked to coordination efforts with the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The strike also resulted in the deaths of two additional commanders from Iran's Revolutionary Guards. Israel claims that its actions have delayed Tehran's alleged nuclear weapon development by two years.
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi noted that Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon state enriching uranium to 60 percent. However, he clarified that there is no evidence that Tehran possesses all necessary components to build a functional nuclear warhead. Grossi described predictions about Iran's timeline for developing nuclear weapons as "pure speculation."
Israel has also targeted Iran's Isfahan nuclear site for a second time, alongside missile storage and launch sites in central Iran. The Israeli army reported ongoing strikes on military infrastructure in the southwest of the country.
US President Donald Trump warned Tehran of possible American airstrikes within two weeks if the situation does not de-escalate. However, he noted a reluctance to intervene if Israel appears to be gaining an advantage. The US possesses advanced bunker-busting bombs capable of destroying Iran's underground uranium enrichment facility in Fordo.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi participated in a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul to address the conflict. Following discussions with European diplomats in Geneva, Araghchi stated Iran's unwillingness to negotiate with the United States while Israeli aggression persists.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency, a US-based NGO, reported at least 657 deaths in Iran, including 263 civilians, based on its sources and media reports. Iran's health ministry reported over 400 fatalities and 3,056 injuries due to Israeli strikes. Nasrin, a 39-year-old victim receiving treatment in Tehran, recounted the impact of an Israeli strike that left her injured and unconscious.
Iran's retaliatory actions have resulted in at least 25 casualties in Israel, with official figures indicating more than 450 missiles and approximately 400 drones fired into Israeli territory. Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed targeting Israeli military sites and air force bases as part of their response.