Israel Targets Al-Quds Brigades Command Centers Amid Escalating Conflict

On June 16, 2025, tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply as Israel intensified its military operations against Iran, following a series of severe attacks from both sides. In a retaliatory measure, the Iranian military launched a new wave of strikes against Israel on Sunday evening, just hours after Israeli airstrikes targeted key military and infrastructure sites in Tehran.

According to Israeli officials, the air force conducted bombings in the Iranian capital, specifically targeting the Defense Ministry and facilities linked to Iran's nuclear weapons program, alongside oil depots. Subsequent airstrikes extended into eastern Iran, aiming at command centers associated with the Al-Quds Brigades of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, groups that operate under the direct authority of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In a parallel development, the Iranian military responded with rocket fire aimed at Israeli territory, resulting in the deaths of at least seven individuals and injuring around 200 more. The Iranian casualties have reportedly surpassed 220 since the commencement of Israeli strikes on Friday, with more than 1,227 individuals reported injured.

The ongoing conflict has prompted a wave of evacuations from Tehran, with residents fleeing the city in significant numbers. Eyewitness accounts have described severe traffic congestion on the roads in the capital, which has a population exceeding 15 million. Long queues formed at gas stations, while other areas of the city were eerily quiet, reflecting the anxiety permeating the population.

As the situation continues to evolve, both nations appear locked in a cycle of violence, with each side launching retaliatory measures in a conflict that shows no signs of abating. The international community is closely monitoring these developments, with calls for restraint being raised amid concerns over the potential for further escalation in the region.