Iran reports 10,000 civilian sites destroyed amid US-Israeli strikes

TEHRAN / ISFAHAN – The ongoing war between Iran, the United States, and Israel has taken a heavy toll on civilians and heightened regional tensions, with the Iranian government reporting extensive damage, arrests, and attacks affecting foreign diplomatic missions.

Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said on Tuesday that US and Israeli airstrikes since the conflict began on February 28 had destroyed nearly 10,000 civilian sites, including 65 schools and educational institutions, and almost 8,000 homes. He also repeated a previously reported death toll, saying the strikes had killed more than 1,300 civilians.

Amid the war, Iran has intensified internal security measures, arresting dozens of individuals on charges of espionage and acting on behalf of the country’s “enemies.”

The Intelligence Ministry announced that a foreign national had been detained for allegedly conducting espionage for the United States and Israel while acting as a proxy for two Gulf countries.

State media reported that “30 spies, internal mercenaries and operational agents of Israel and the US” had been arrested over the past few days.

Separately, Iran’s Police chief Ahmadreza Radan told state television that 81 people had been detained for “sharing internal Iranian information with hostile media and enemies,” without providing further details.

Human rights groups have frequently accused Tehran of using such arrests to exert pressure or gain concessions from foreign governments, a claim the Iranian authorities deny.

Meanwhile, Russia reported damage to its consulate in the Iranian city of Isfahan following shelling earlier this week. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the attack, which targeted the nearby governor’s administration, shattered windows in the consulate’s offices and residential apartments and threw several employees off balance.

“Fortunately, there were no casualties or serious injuries,” she added, describing the assault on a diplomatic mission as a “blatant violation” of international conventions.

The situation has drawn attention at the highest diplomatic levels. President Vladimir Putin spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday, calling for a halt to hostilities and highlighting the need to respect diplomatic sites.

The combination of civilian casualties, arrests, and attacks on foreign missions underscores the multifaceted impact of the conflict.

The United States and Israel have carried out targeted strikes, including the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and several military commanders, while Iran has responded with attacks on Gulf countries allied to Washington and hosting American military bases.

The escalation has deepened fears of wider regional instability and raised questions about the human cost of the ongoing war.