Smoke rises following an Israeli attack on Tehran Oil Refinery, in south of Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
More than 200 people have been reported dead following the large-scale US–Israel airstrikes across Iran, according to figures released by Iranian state media. Press TV, citing the Iranian Red Crescent, said at least 201 people have been killed and 747 others injured in attacks spanning 24 provinces.
Among the dead are 85 students and staff at a girls’ school in the southern city of Minab. The state-run IRNA news agency reported the deaths, quoting the city’s prosecutor, who said the school was struck during the early wave of bombardments.
Iranian authorities described the attacks as “widespread and coordinated,” hitting both military and civilian locations. Emergency teams have been deployed across the country, with hospitals in several provinces reporting that they are operating beyond capacity.
Iran’s Retaliation Spreads Across the Region
In response, Iran launched a series of missile and drone strikes targeting countries that host US military forces. The attacks were directed at multiple Gulf states, where tens of thousands of American troops are stationed.
One of the most significant incidents occurred in Bahrain, home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet and the headquarters of US Naval Forces Central Command. The kingdom hosts the long-standing Naval Support Activity Bahrain installation, a deep-water port capable of accommodating major US warships, including aircraft carriers. The base has been central to American naval operations since 1948, when it was first operated by Britain’s Royal Navy.
Bahraini officials confirmed that the service center of the Fifth Fleet was struck by a missile. Videos circulating on local media showed a thick column of grey smoke rising near the coastline as air-raid sirens sounded across parts of the island.
Several US naval vessels—among them mine-countermeasure ships and logistical support craft—are permanently stationed in Bahrain, raising concerns about the potential for further escalation if additional military assets are targeted.
Growing Fears of a Wider Conflict
The exchange of strikes marks one of the most dangerous escalations in the region in years, with analysts warning that continued attacks could draw more countries into the conflict. Regional governments have urged restraint, while international organizations are calling for immediate de-escalation to prevent a broader humanitarian crisis.
