Tehran Vows “Devastating Response” as Israeli Strikes Kill Over 220 in Iran
Iran vowed 'devastating response' after Israeli strikes killed 224+ in Iran. Sirens sounded across Israel as military warned of new attacks. The conflict, now in its 3rd day, marks the most direct confrontation between the foes in decades, with fears of wider war growing.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Iran on Sunday vowed to unleash a "devastating response" against Israel for its continued military offensive, which has killed at least 224 people and injured over a thousand across Iran since Friday, according to the Iranian Ministry of Health.
In a televised address, Iranian Armed Forces spokesman Colonel Reza Sayad declared that the scale of Iran’s retaliation “will certainly cover all parts of the occupied territories.”
“Leave the occupied lands,” Sayad warned Israeli citizens. “They will certainly not be habitable in the future.” He further cautioned, “Remaining in underground shelters will not ensure your safety.”
His remarks came as air raid sirens echoed once more across Israeli cities on Sunday afternoon and evening. The Israeli army urged civilians to temporarily take refuge in shelters in anticipation of renewed Iranian missile attacks.
Israeli Offensive Enters Third Day
Since the early hours of Friday, Israel has launched an expansive military campaign targeting Iranian military and nuclear facilities, in what it describes as a preemptive effort to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons—a claim long denied by Iranian authorities.
According to Iranian media citing the Ministry of Health, Israeli airstrikes have so far killed 224 individuals, including women, children, and civilians, with more than 90% of casualties reported as non-combatants. On Friday and Saturday alone, at least 128 people were killed, with hundreds more wounded.
From Shadow War to Direct Confrontation
The escalating hostilities mark the most direct and intense military engagement between the two adversaries in decades, transitioning from years of proxy conflicts and covert operations to overt, large-scale warfare.
Iran's unprecedented losses, including civilian casualties and the destruction of critical infrastructure, have fueled public outrage and drawn fierce rhetoric from the Islamic Republic’s leadership, who now pledge full-scale retaliation.
As alarms continue to blare across Israel and fears of further escalation grip the region, international observers warn that the Middle East may be entering a perilous new chapter of instability and open warfare.
