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 BureauExplosions 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.

Palestinians most vulnerable as region braces for broader fallout June 15, 2025 — Middle East Desk Tensions between Israel and Iran have placed the entire Middle East on high alert, with governments, markets, and civilians bracing for what could become a wider regional conflict. The escalation — which has already seen direct missile exchanges — is sending shockwaves well beyond the immediate conflict zone. Oil prices have surged, regional commerce has slowed, and geopolitical nerves are fraying. Countries across the region, from Lebanon and Yemen to Turkiye, are monitoring events minute by minute. But what’s raising the stakes even further are reports that Israel is now issuing evacuation orders not only in conflict zones like Gaza or southern Lebanon, but directly for Iran — a rare and serious move that signals a potential expansion of the conflict. Global Stakes: Will the US Get Involved? The uncertainty over whether the United States will become militarily involved looms large. A direct American entry into the confrontation could fundamentally alter the trajectory of the crisis — politically, militarily, and economically. So far, Washington has remained cautious, urging restraint while reinforcing its presence in the region. But the lack of clarity has only fueled the anxiety across global capitals. “Everybody is on edge,” said a regional analyst. “If the U.S. gets pulled in, this won’t stay a regional crisis.” Humanitarian Concerns: Palestinians in the Crossfire Among the most vulnerable are the Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where the humanitarian situation is quickly deteriorating. With no shelters, minimal emergency services, and supplies dwindling, residents are effectively trapped in areas already under tight military lockdown. Aid agencies warn that a prolonged or expanded war could lead to catastrophic civilian casualties. “There’s a lot at stake here — not just for the Israeli and Iranian people, but for millions across the Middle East,” said a humanitarian worker in Ramallah. As both sides harden their rhetoric and the threat of regional war deepens, the international community is facing growing pressure to intervene diplomatically — before the next strike drags the region into chaos.