Israel-Iran conflict: Rights body says 639 people may have died in Iran, Israel strikes 20 targets in Tehran

Israel said it struck over 20 military targets in Tehran even as 24 people were killed in Iranian strikes, with over 240 people dead in Israeli strikes on Iran.

Updated on: Jun 19, 2025, 07:00:41 IST

By HT News Desk | Edited by Majid Alam

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The fighting between Israel and Iran continued on Thursday as the Israel military said it downed a second Iranian done in less than an hour. Israel said it struck over 20 military targets in Tehran even as 24 people were killed in Iranian strikes, with over 240 people dead in Israeli strikes on Iran.

Smoke billows from an explosion in southwest Tehran on June 16, 2025. (AFP)

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected US calls for 'unconditional surrender' in the face of more Israeli strikes and warned that the US military involvement would cause "irreparable damage to them." Follow LIVE updates

Also Read: First flight carrying Indian students moved from Iran to Armenia lands in Delhi under Operation Sindhu

Israel-Iran conflict | Latest

- Senior US officials are preparing for the possibility of a strike on Iran in the coming days, Bloomberg News has said. The development comes even as reports said that US President Donald Trump reviewed attack plans for Iran but was holding off to see if Tehran steps back from its nuclear program.

- The Israel Defence Forces said that the military sites targeted on Thursday include Uranium enrichment and centrifuge sites, Missile and air defense production facilities, and nuclear weapons Research and Development centers.

- While interacting with reporters in the White House on Wednesday, Trump said he "may or may not" order a strike by American armed forces on Iran. "I may do it (strikes), I may not do it, nobody knows what I'm going to do. I can tell you that Iran has a lot of troubles and they want to negotiate. Why didn't they negotiate with me 2 weeks ago?” Trump said.

- The Israeli strikes on Iran have killed over 639 people and injured 1,329 others, according to Washington-based group Human Rights Activists. The fatalities include 263 civilians and 154 military personnel. However, the Iranian government has put the death toll at 224 and 1,277 injuries.

- Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that a deal to end Israel-Iran fighting was possible, AFP reported. He also offered to help mediate an end to the conflict saying Moscow could help negotiate a settlement that could allow Tehran to pursue a peaceful atomic program.

- The Russian President further said he did "not even wish to discuss" the idea Israel might assassinate Khamenei.

- Meanwhile, the first evacuation flight to India carrying over 100 students, who were evacuated to Armenia from war-torn Iran, landed in New Delhi early Thursday under 'Operation Sindhu'.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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