TEHRAN — The death toll from ongoing United States and Israeli strikes on Iran has surpassed 1,000 as the conflict entered its fifth day on Wednesday, according to Iranian state media.
Iranian authorities reported that at least 1,045 people have been killed since the assault began on Saturday, with thousands more wounded. The attacks have targeted several areas across the country, including the capital Tehran, the holy city of Qom, and parts of the central Isfahan province. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said some residential buildings were also damaged during the strikes.
Israeli officials said the air strikes targeted facilities connected to Iran’s internal security forces, including buildings belonging to the Basij, a paramilitary volunteer force affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The United Nations reported that the escalation has triggered a large displacement of civilians. An estimated 100,000 people fled Tehran during the first two days of the strikes between February 28 and March 1 as explosions and continued attacks raised fears of further escalation.
Civilians have borne the brunt of the conflict, with reports indicating that more than 6,000 people have been injured and around 300 children and adolescents hospitalized since the fighting began.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that visible damage was detected near two buildings close to the Isfahan nuclear site. However, the agency confirmed that facilities containing nuclear material were not affected and there is currently no risk of a radiological release.
The conflict intensified after Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed early Saturday during the initial wave of US-Israeli strikes that also killed several senior Iranian officials, including Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh. Plans for Khamenei’s funeral ceremony have since been postponed due to ongoing explosions and logistical concerns.
In response to the attacks, Iran has launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes against Israel and US military bases across the Gulf region. While many of the projectiles were intercepted by Israel, the United States and regional allies, some reportedly struck military targets and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Iranian officials are working to select a successor to Khamenei. Senior cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami said the country is close to identifying the next supreme leader, though no official announcement has yet been made. Western and Israeli media have reported that Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s son, is among the leading candidates.
The continuing conflict has raised fears of a broader regional war as both sides continue to exchange strikes across the Middle East.
