Russia concerned over Middle East escalation, calls civilian attacks unacceptable

Power outages and explosions were reported in parts of Tehran and other Iranian cities on Monday amid US-Israeli airstrikes, eyewitness told Iran International.

They said electricity was cut in some areas of eastern Tehran while a large plume of smoke was seen rising in central areas.

Residents in the northwestern city of Urmia also reported hearing several explosions, while others in Karaj, central Iran, said they heard fighter jets flying overhead.

Saudi Arabia shut its Ras Tanura refinery after a drone strike, while major Israeli gas fields and most oil output in Iraqi Kurdistan were also halted as regional strikes stretched into a third day.

Offshore Israel, the Leviathan gas field was temporarily shut, and companies in Iraqi Kurdistan stopped production as a precaution, with no damage reported.

Explosions were also heard at Iran’s Kharg Island export hub, though it was unclear if facilities were affected.

Brent crude rose about 10% to above $82 a barrel on supply concerns.

Israel’s military said on Monday that it killed senior members of Iran’s Intelligence Ministry, including Yahya Hamidi, the deputy minister of intelligence for Israel affairs, in the opening strike of operation Roaring Lion.

Iran International reported in 2024 that Yahya Hosseini Panjaki, alias Yahya Hamidi, served as a deputy for internal security and the official in charge of the Israel desk at the Intelligence Ministry, and was a main architect of operations targeting Islamic Republic opponents abroad.

According to the Israeli army’s statement, Jalal Pour Hossein, identified as head of an espionage division, was also killed.

The two men were targeted in operations guided by precise intelligence along with other senior officials, Israel’s military said.

The only lasting solution to the crisis in Iran is a diplomatic one, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday.

“This means a credible transition for Iran, the definite halt to both the nuclear and ballistic programs and an end to destabilizing activities in the region,” she told reporters in Brussels.

“We must work hard to de-escalate and stop the conflict from spreading,” she added.

Five Iranian army members were killed in a US attack on the western city of Khorramabad, the public relations office of the 84th Lorestan Infantry Division said.

The office said the deaths followed the attacks by the United States and Israel on Iranian territory and the city of Khorramabad.

It said the five were members of the 184th Brigade of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army.

The statement named the dead as Behzad Dalvand, Javad Khosravi, Abolfazl Habibi, Mehrdad Nazari and Hossein Asadipour.