Iran vows to halt retaliation only if Israeli attacks stop; over 80 killed in Iran, Gaza toll passes 55,000
June 15, 2025 – Middle East Bureau
Explosions were reported overnight in Tehran as hostilities between Israel and Iran sharply escalated, triggering fears of a broader regional war. The renewed violence follows a barrage of Iranian missile strikes on Israeli targets, including areas near Haifa and Tel Aviv, which reportedly killed at least 10 people, according to medics and local media.
In retaliation, Israeli air raids targeted Iranian civilian and strategic infrastructure, including the Shahran oil facility in Tehran, igniting major fires. The Israeli military claimed the strikes were aimed at sites “related to the Iranian regime’s nuclear weapons project.”
Iran Warns of Continued Response
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran’s response would end only when Israel halts its air assaults.
“The Iranian response will stop when Israel stops its attacks on Iran,” Araghchi said in a televised statement.
Heavy Casualties in Iran
Iranian state media reports that the Israeli strikes over the past 48 hours have killed at least 80 people, including 20 children, and wounded more than 800. The attacks reportedly hit both military sites and densely populated urban areas, raising concerns over civilian safety.
Gaza Crisis Deepens
Meanwhile, in the occupied Palestinian territory of Gaza, the death toll continues to mount. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 55,362 people have been killed and 128,741 wounded since Israel launched its offensive following the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks, which left 1,139 people dead in Israel and more than 200 taken captive.
Regional Tensions at Boiling Point
The escalating tit-for-tat attacks have drawn in actors from across the region, with Yemen’s Houthi rebels and other Iranian allies also launching attacks against Israeli territory. Observers warn the conflict could soon spread beyond Iran and Israel if diplomatic efforts fail to halt the spiral.
