Israel and Tehran ramp up blows as fear deepens in Iranian capital

An exodus of fearful Tehran residents quit the capital in droves as Israel ramped up air strikes and Iran sent another missile barrage into Israel as combat between the two Mideast foes entered a fourth day.

Israeli attacks targeted Iran’s foreign ministry, interior ministry and ministry of intelligence along with military targets across the capital Tehran and nationwide. Tehran’s historic bazaar was shut down as merchants evacuated.

US President Trump said it was time for a deal to end the hostilities but suggested letting Israel and Iran keep scrapping.

"Well I hope there's going to be a deal. I think it's time for a deal and we'll see what happens but sometimes they have to fight it out but we're going to see what happens. I think there's a good chance there will be a deal," he told reporters on Sunday.

Israeli attacks since Friday had killed 224 people and wounded 1,277, spokesman for Iran’s health ministry Hossein Kermanpour said on social media.

Four people were killed in the latest Iranian missile attacks on Israel's central region, medic service Magen David Adom said early on Monday local time. Live feeds showed several apparent missile impacts on the northern port city of Haifa as well.

Tehran exodus

Traffic volume also surged at major exit points from Tehran, including the Tehran-North highway, Tehran-Qom route, and Haraz road, police said on Sunday, amid escalating war between Iran and Israel.

Israel has approved a new strike plan designed to prompt a mass civilian exodus from Tehran by targeting sites linked to the Iranian government, the Jewish state's Channel 14 reported Sunday night.

Explosions were also reported near key locations including Niavaran, Kashavarz Boulevard, the vicinity of Azadi Stadium, and the Air Force area (Nirou-Havaei) in eastern Tehran.

More attacks struck around Fatemi Square -- where the Interior Ministry is located --Valiasr Square, and downtown intersections near Alaeddin shopping mall in Jomhouri street.

Iranians from neighborhoods such as Jannatabad, Shush, Saadatabad, Punak, Ekbatan, and Chitgarhave sent Iran International video confirming missile strikes and anti-aircraft fire throughout the capital.

Around the airport area and Mehrabad, drone activity and defensive fire were also reported.

Strikes all across Iran

Beyond Tehran, the nearby city of Karaj faced drone assaults, particularly around the Azimieh area, with residents reporting heavy smoke and continuous anti-aircraft defense activity from the nearby mountains.

In the northwest, officials in Tabriz confirmed drone incursions and defensive responses but denied any explosions.

An Israeli military spokesperson also said on Sunday that they also attacked Isfahan nuclear facility.

Warning of regional escalation

Meanwhile a veteran commander mooted regional conflict and a possible eventual resort to nuclear weapons.

"Iran may be forced to take actions that could destabilize the entire region," Mohsen Rezaei, the IRGC general who commanded Iranian forces during the Iran-Iraq war, told the state TV.

Rezaei, once again seen wearing his military uniform, warned that Iran might have to cross its own red lines.

"For now, we have no plans to move towards nuclear weapons," Rezaei said.

Communications disrupted

Internet services have been disrupted in many Iranian cities, with users reporting severe difficulties accessing social media platforms like Instagram and messaging apps such as WhatsApp.

Videos shared on social media showed simultaneous fires at the Shohran oil depot and the Shahr-e Rey refinery near Tehran, with flames continuing for hours after the initial strikes overnight.

‘We have yet to strike all targets,’ Israeli military says

An Israeli military official said that a long list of Iranian targets remains untouched. Since June 13, the Israeli military has conducted approximately 170 airstrikes, striking over 720 sites across Iran.

Israel also issued a warning on Sunday, urging Tehran residents near weapons production centers to evacuate.

As the strikes continue, sounds of explosions and anti-aircraft gunfire remain frequent across Tehran and other cities.