Iranians in Tehran refuse to flee amid Israeli strikes: Video
Israel on Saturday, June 14, issued a strong warning to Iran, declaring that continued attacks on the former's civilians could lead to severe consequences, including potential strikes on Tehran.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that the government now holds airspace control stretching from western Iran to its capital. He accused Iran’s leadership of endangering its people, particularly those in Tehran, by provoking conflict through assaults on Israeli citizens.
"The Iranian dictator is turning the citizens of Iran into hostages," Katz said, "And bringing about a reality in which they –especially the residents of Tehran– will pay a heavy price because of the criminal harm to Israeli civilians. If (Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali) Khamenei continues to fire missiles toward the Israeli home front–– Tehran will burn."
Despite this warning, Tehran residents have vowed not to leave their city.
Speaking to AFP on Saturday, 31-year-old Tehran resident, Shokouh Razzazi, said, "It is natural that war has its stress, but I will not leave my city, my place of residence and store food. These events have also happened previously [Iran-Iraq war 1980-1989]. I trust my country, and I don't think that bad things will happen."
72-year-old Saied Tehrani also added that "I feel safe because I live in my own country and city, and just as we have been safe until now, we will be safe in the future. I have no special plans to leave Tehran."
Tensions between Israel and Iran escalated dramatically as the two nations exchanged direct fire for the first time in decades, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
The confrontation erupted after Israel launched a massive aerial offensive early Friday, June 13, just days before a scheduled sixth round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States.
Dubbed "Rising Lion,” the Israeli assault reportedly targeted Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment facility and resulted in the assassination of top military leaders, including Major General Mohammad Bagheri and Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami. Iran claimed that dozens of civilians were killed and several key nuclear sites were damaged.
In retaliation, Iran unleashed waves of drone and missile attacks, with a night-time bombardment which lit up the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The strikes killed three people and left dozens injured, marking the deadliest and most direct exchange between the two rivals in recent history.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
