Tehran (TDI): Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday that millions of Iranians are prepared to lay down their lives in defense of the country, emphasizing national unity amid the ongoing war.
In a message posted on X, he stated that around 14 million citizens have registered their willingness to sacrifice themselves, adding that he personally remains committed to giving his life for Iran.
The war, which began on February 28, has led to heavy casualties. According to reports cited by Al Jazeera, more than 2,000 people have been killed and over 26,000 injured in Iran. Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted key Iranian figures, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior official Ali Larijani.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council is expected to vote on a resolution addressing Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy route. The draft resolution calls on Iran to stop attacks on commercial shipping and avoid disrupting navigation, although it stops short of authorizing military action due to objections from key member states.
Explosions were reported in Tehran as fighter jets flew over the capital, and Khorramabad airport was reportedly targeted in a joint US-Israeli strike. At the same time, Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis appear to be entering a critical phase, according to Iran’s ambassador in Islamabad.
Read More: IAEA Chief Warns Strikes Near Iran’s Bushehr Plant Pose Serious Nuclear Risk
In Turkiye, a separate security incident unfolded near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, where three attackers were killed in a shootout with police. Two officers were injured, but no diplomatic staff were present at the time.
On the battlefield, tensions remain high. Iranian missile strikes caused damage in central Israel, though no casualties were confirmed. The Lebanese group Hezbollah claimed responsibility for multiple rocket attacks on northern Israeli settlements and said it had also targeted Israeli helicopters, forcing them to withdraw.
Read More: Trump Confirms Senior US Team in Contact with Pakistan Mediators on Iran War
Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon have killed several people, including civilians, while additional strikes inside Iran have caused further destruction. Iranian media reported that a residential area in Tehran was hit, damaging nearby buildings, including a synagogue.
The Israeli military has also issued warnings urging Iranian civilians to avoid railway systems for their safety, signaling the possibility of further strikes on infrastructure.
