Minister: Israeli attacks leave at least 1,800 injured in Iran

Iranian Minister of Health and Medical Education Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi has announced on national television that Israeli strikes on Iranian territory resulted in at least 1,800 injuries.

“Among the casualties, the majority are civilians,” Zafarghandi stated, highlighting the human toll of the recent attacks, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media. 

The minister did not specify how many of the injured are in critical condition, leaving questions about the full extent of the damage and ongoing medical response.

Israel launched a surprise strike on Iran on June 13, sparking the most intense confrontation between the two nations to date and raising fears of a broader Middle Eastern conflict. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli cities including Tel Aviv and Haifa. Israel asserts its strikes targeted military and nuclear sites, eliminating several senior commanders and scientists. 

Pezeshkian responded, “Does the scientist of this country have a gun in his hand and a bomb? If we did not have these missiles now, Israel would easily hit wherever it wanted every day.” According to a senior US official, President Donald Trump urged Israel to halt plans to assassinate Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted that regime change in Iran could be a potential outcome of their military actions. 

Calling for national unity, Pezeshkian urged Iranians to put aside their differences amid the crisis: “Every difference, issue, and problem that has existed must be put aside today and we must stand strong against this genocidal criminal aggression with unity and coherence.”

Iranian officials have emphasized diplomatic efforts despite Israel’s preference for military measures and US threats of consequences if nuclear talks fail. They also stressed that any Israeli attack would not occur without US knowledge and support.

By Naila Huseynova