Tehran: The Israeli army has issued a directive for residents of a district in Tehran, home to government ministries and foreign embassies, to evacuate as it prepares for a new wave of airstrikes targeting the Iranian capital. A military statement, released in Persian, instructed those in Tehran's District 3 to leave the area immediately.

According to Anadolu Agency, the statement from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) indicated that operations would commence shortly in the region to target military structures of the Iranian regime, continuing recent actions across Tehran. The statement emphasized the imminent danger to residents, urging them to vacate to ensure their safety.

This evacuation order marks the first such directive for Tehran residents since the onset of heightened hostilities between Israel and Iran. The latest escalation began on Friday when coordinated Israeli airstrikes hit various sites within Iran, including military and nuclear facilities. In response, Tehran launched retaliatory missile strikes.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties. Israeli authorities have reported at least 24 fatalities and hundreds of injuries from Iranian missile attacks since the confrontation began. Conversely, Iran has stated that at least 224 individuals have been killed, with over 1,000 others wounded due to Israeli assaults.