The perilous situation following Israeli airstrikes in the Iranian capital early Friday has raised concerns among local residents in Tehran about a potential escalation of tension in the region.
Israel launched a preemptive strike on Iran early Friday, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, senior military leaders and research scientists in a major escalation of military strike against Tehran.
A China Media Group (CMG) reporter recorded the extensive destruction in the residential buildings, where rescue teams were sifting through debris.
"We are in a settlement in capital Tehran, this is one of the settlements struck by Israel. Rescue and relief teams are on the ground while some families are anxious amid ongoing uncertainties," said Hoseein Naymazadeh, the reporter.
At a location near the site of the attack, another CMG reporter Li Shuangxi observed that the volatile situation has heightened anxieties among local residents.
"We can see a building behind me. It's a civilian building, where several upper floors have been completely destroyed in the strike. Shattered glass litters the area, and that areas have been cordoned off so we can not get close. Earlier I have visited several other targeted locations. Most of them were military targets and were tightly sealed off. We were not allowed to enter. I can clearly feel that the sense of unease among residents in Tehran is getting stronger," said Li.
Perilous situation raises concerns among locals in Teheran after Israeli strike
Perilous situation raises concerns among locals in Teheran after Israeli strike
Perilous situation raises concerns among locals in Teheran after Israeli strike
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that the situation in Iran is "under total control" following violence linked to protests that spiked over the weekend.
Addressing foreign diplomats in Tehran, the foreign minister noted that armed terrorist groups had infiltrated the protests, attempting to divert them from their legitimate course. He claimed that evidence has been gathered showing Iranian security forces being shot at, with the aim of causing further casualties. He accused the United States and Israel of exploiting the unrest to interfere in Iran's internal affairs.
Araghchi further stated that the government is closely monitoring developments on the streets, emphasizing that "the situation has come under control." He also affirmed that internet services, curtailed during the unrest, would be restored after coordination with security agencies.
The government has engaged in dialogue with merchants and protest representatives and initiated reforms to address grievances related to price hikes and currency depreciation. Iran has taken a series of actions and measures to respond to the demands of peaceful demonstrators, the foreign minister said.
Earlier on Sunday, Araghchi said that clear evidence links recent riots and vandalism of public facilities in Iran to the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. This came after former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo mentioned Mossad agents operating on Iran's streets in a social media post. The Iranian foreign minister asserted that police are being attacked by "terrorists" acting under the direction of Israeli operatives, whom Pompeo publicly acknowledged.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and U.S. sanctions.
Iranian foreign minister says situation "fully under control," accuses Israeli intelligence of stoking unrest
