Iran, Israel trade strikes for 5th day

KABUL (Pajhwok): Israel and Iran continued exchanging attacks for a fifth straight day on Tuesday, as regional tensions intensified and US President Donald Trump called on civilians to evacuate Tehran, citing Iran’s rejection of a proposed nuclear agreement.

Iranian media reported explosions and heavy air defense activity over Tehran early Tuesday morning.

In Israel, air raid sirens sounded across Tel Aviv shortly after midnight, followed by explosions as Iranian missiles targeted the city, Reuters reported.

Iranian authorities reported 224 deaths—most of them civilians—over the five-day conflict.

Israeli officials confirmed 24 civilian casualties and said nearly 3,000 people had been evacuated due to damage caused by Iranian missile strikes.

Israel has struck civilian targets in Iran, including a hospital and the headquarters of Iranian state television, as intense cross-border attacks between the two countries, Al Jazeera reported.

During a live broadcast, Iran’s state TV captured dramatic footage of one of its most prominent anchors warning of an incoming missile before abruptly fleeing the set. Moments later, an explosion rocked the building, sending debris flying. Reports indicate that several journalists were injured in the strike.

Amid growing concerns over the escalating violence, the White House announced that President Trump would leave the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada a day early to return to Washington and convene his National Security Council.

“Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and a waste of human life,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”

French President Emmanuel Macron described Trump’s early departure from the G7 as a “positive step,” saying the immediate goal was to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, in line with a US-backed proposal.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Fox News that President Trump remained committed to pursuing a nuclear agreement with Iran but emphasized that the United States would defend its assets in the region.

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