Panic in Tehran: exodus as Israel strikes for 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.

“Iran is the principal source of instability in the Middle East,” said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.

Von der Leyen warned that Iran’s destabilizing actions aren’t confined to the Middle East.

“The same type of Iranian-designed drones and ballistic missiles are indiscriminately hitting civilians in Ukraine and now in Israel,” she said. “They must be addressed together.”

The European Commission president called for a unified response to both crises, arguing that any solution must take into account the broader threat posed by Iran’s weapons exports and regional aggression.

“Iran can never have nuclear weapons."

Von der Leyen said she spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to discuss the need for a lasting solution through negotiation, but said Israel “has a right to defend itself.”

US President Donald Trump also spoke by phone with Van der Leyen to discuss the economic fallout of the Iran-Israel war, focusing on potential safeguards to stabilize global energy markets.

The conflict, which saw both countries target each other’s energy infrastructure over the weekend, has already sent oil prices surging and disrupted tanker traffic and supply flows across the region—threatening to push the global economy into deeper volatility.

“The time to give diplomacy a chance is now,” said António Costa, President of the European Council. “We must step up our efforts in the Middle East.”

Here's a brief summary of major events and developments so far.

Israel escalates strikes, hits multiple cities

• Almost every neighborhood in Tehran was hit on Sunday, prompting a civilian exodus from the capital.
• Massive explosions were reported in Shahriar, Eslamshahr, and Vavan.
• Israeli warplanes struck missile depots and military infrastructure in western and northern Iran, triggering air defenses in Isfahan, Sanandaj, Ahvaz, Bandar Anzali, and other cities.
• Iranian intelligence and foreign ministry headquarters were hit, Mashhad saw large fires, and Tehran’s police command HQ was damaged.
• Tehran’s bazaar was shut down and major highways out of the capital experienced a surge in traffic as residents fled.

Iran strikes back with new missile barrage

• Iran launched another salvo of missiles early Sunday toward Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem.
• Seven Israelis were killed and more than 200 injured; a synagogue in southern Israel was also hit.
• Tehran warned any further support for Israel could trigger retaliatory action against other regional states.

Casualties mount on both sides

• Iran's health ministry said 224 Iranians have been killed since Friday, and more than 1200 injured - 90% civilians, the report said.
• Iran's missile attacks have killed at least 14 Israelis and wounded more than 200.
• Fourteen Iranian nuclear scientists have been killed since Friday, some in car bombings.
• Iranian officials confirmed some damage to Natanz and Fordow nuclear sites, but most core facilities remain intact.

Israel unveils psychological pressure plan

• Israeli PM Netanyahu confirmed the killing of IRGC intelligence chief Mohammad Kazemi and his deputy.
• Israel approved a strategy aimed at causing a mass civilian exodus from Tehran by targeting military-linked infrastructure.
• The IDF issued warnings to evacuate parts of the capital.

Khamenei under fire from within and abroad

• People in some parts of Tehran were heard chanting “Death to Dictator” and "Death to IRGC" during air defense activity at night time.
• Iran’s exiled crown prince accused Khamenei of hiding “like a rat” while civilians suffer.
• French President Macron ruled out Russia as a mediator in the conflict.
• IRGC general Mohsen Rezaei said Iran may cross its red lines and use “undisclosed tactics.”

Talks with US in jeopardy as blame mounts

• Iran signaled it may cancel upcoming nuclear talks, citing US complicity in Israeli attacks.
• Foreign Minister Araghchi told the EU that negotiations are “unjustifiable” under the circumstances.
• Iran has told mediators Qatar and Oman that it is not open to negotiating a ceasefire while under Israeli attack, Reuters reported.
• Tehran said it may target Persian Gulf bases if they assist Israeli operations.

Washington's role

• Trump said Sunday that Iran and Israel “may have to fight to the end” but expressed hope for a peaceful deal.
• Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei, Reuters said.
• The Pentagon is split: CENTCOM’s Gen. Kurilla wants more support for Israel, but policy chief Elbridge Colby resists diverting forces from Asia.
• Trump and Netanyahu both said regime change in Iran could be a result—but not the stated aim—of Israel’s actions.

Nuclear risk remains high, says IAEA

• IAEA chief Rafael Grossi told the UN that Israeli strikes caused serious damage at Natanz.
• No damage was observed at Fordow or the Khondab reactor, but concerns remain over potential radioactive release.
• EU and Pope Leo XIV issued fresh calls for nuclear restraint and return to diplomacy.

One video showed congestion on the Tehran–Saveh road, while another, captured similar scenes on the Tehran–Mashhad route.

The apparent exodus follows reports by Israel’s Channel 14 that the Israeli military has launched a strike plan designed to trigger mass civilian evacuations from Tehran.

According to the report, the operation, approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Katz, involves targeting sites linked to the Iranian government in an effort to apply pressure through psychological and logistical disruption.

The summit, hosted by Canada under its current G7 presidency, brings together the world’s seven major economies along with guest nations including Ukraine and South Africa.

But what was expected to be a forum for long-standing economic discussions and global trade tensions is now being overshadowed by urgent geopolitical turmoil.

US President Donald Trump told reporters before heading to the summit that he hoped for a peaceful resolution to the Iran-Israel clash but the two enemies may have to keep fighting.

"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 said.

Trump declined to say if he requested Israel pause its attacks on Iran but said Washington would continue to aid Israel's defense against Iranian missiles.

Conversations that were originally expected to focus on peace efforts in Ukraine and Gaza have now pivoted sharply to the Iran-Israel conflict. The G7 agenda has been thrown into disarray as leaders scramble to respond to the escalating violence between Tehran and Tel Aviv.

“We do have longstanding concerns about the nuclear program Iran has," said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaking on a flight to Canada Sunday.

"We do recognize Israel’s right to self-defense, but I’m absolutely clear that this needs to de-escalate. There is a huge risk of escalation for the region and more widely,”

Trump earlier told ABC News he believes peace between Iran and Israel is likely, and that recent military strikes could pressure Tehran into agreeing to a nuclear deal in the near future.

"Something like this had to happen because I think even from both sides, but something like this had to happen. They want to talk, and they will be talking," Trump said.

Trump also expressed optimism about a potential Russian mediation between the two sides.

The president said the US will continue to support Israel but declined to confirm or deny if he asked Israel to pause strikes, he said speaking to reporters as he left for the G7 summit in Canada.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday he hoped tensions between Iran and Israel would de-escalate “in the coming hours,” and urged a return to nuclear negotiations with Tehran.

Talks in limbo

Negotiations between the United States and Iran, previously scheduled for Sunday, were abruptly derailed after several members of Iran’s delegation were allegedly killed in an Israeli airstrike.

The G7 has the ability to help close the cycle of violence in the Middle East, said Iran analyst Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).

World leaders need to remind Tehran "the sharp choice it faces: trade away your nuclear program or watch it, and perhaps the rest of your military capabilities, be taken away from you," Taleblu told Iran International.

President Trump has said the US may consider direct involvement in Israeli military efforts, though he also expressed openness to Russian mediation as a possible diplomatic solution. Meanwhile, Washington has committed to deploying additional warships and military assets to the Middle East.