Iran Pushes for Ceasefire as Israeli Strikes Force 330,000 to Flee Tehran.
The rapidly escalating war between Israel and Iran took a dramatic turn as Tehran signaled its willingness to pursue a ceasefire, even as Israeli airstrikes continued to pummel key military and government targets in the Iranian capital. The conflict has triggered a mass exodus of over 330,000 residents from Tehran, while global oil prices dropped 4% on hopes of de-escalation.
Israeli warplanes launched a fresh wave of attacks under “Operation Rising Lion,” targeting missile stockpiles, suspected nuclear sites, and—in a symbolic blow—the headquarters of Iran’s state broadcaster, IRIB. The strike knocked national television off the air for hours, sending shockwaves through the city.
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Witnesses described scenes of panic, with streets clogged by fleeing families and emergency shelters overwhelmed. “All we could see was smoke and broken glass,” one Tehran resident said. “People were running, children were screaming. We thought it was the end.”
Authorities have designated “red zones” around military and nuclear facilities, accelerating evacuations as fears grow of further strikes. Military analysts suggest Israel’s campaign has severely degraded Iran’s air defenses, leaving the country vulnerable to continued attacks.
Despite its defiant rhetoric, Iran has quietly reached out through Gulf mediators—Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman—to propose a ceasefire. Reports indicate Tehran is offering a temporary freeze on uranium enrichment and expanded IAEA monitoring in exchange for an end to hostilities. However, it has demanded that the U.S. refrain from military involvement.
The international community has cautiously welcomed the move. Oil markets, which had surged on fears of a prolonged conflict, dipped sharply as traders bet on a potential pause in fighting. “The prospect of a ceasefire, however fragile, has eased fears of a full-blown regional war disrupting oil supplies,” one analyst noted.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Iran’s overtures, vowing to continue strikes until the “nuclear and missile threat is neutralized.” Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump warned against further escalation, calling the situation a potential trigger for “World War III.”
Behind the scenes, tensions remain high. Trump reportedly rejected an Israeli request for U.S. backing in a covert operation to assassinate Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, fearing an uncontrollable spiral of violence.
The conflict, now in its fourth day, has claimed at least 224 Iranian and 24 Israeli lives, with hundreds more wounded. Hospitals in both nations are overwhelmed, and emergency measures remain in place.
Diplomatic efforts continue, with Oman drafting a proposed peace framework involving phased de-escalation and UN-monitored safeguards. But with Israeli jets still circling Iranian airspace and Tehran yet to halt missile launches, the next 48 hours could determine whether the region plunges deeper into war—or steps back from the brink.
Iran Pushes for Ceasefire as Israeli Strikes Force 330,000 to Flee Tehran.
