Hundreds killed in Iran by US-Israeli strikes, Red Crescent says

TEHRAN — At least 555 people have been killed in Iran since joint US-Israeli strikes began on Saturday, according to the Red Crescent Society. Iranian state media quoted the Red Crescent as saying there had been attacks on 131 cities.At least nine hospitals have been “seriously damaged” in Iran, according to semi-official outlet Mehr News Agency, citing a lawmaker, as US-Israeli bombing entered a third day. “By attacking hospitals, international laws have been violated,” Mohammed Beigi, a member of the Iranian parliament, said Monday. Five people were killed in a separate attack on Iran Street, in the capital Tehran, Beigi added, rendering residential homes “uninhabitable” and flattening buildings to debris. The US and Israel launched a coordinated military assault on Iran Saturday – triggering retaliatory attacks from Tehran and other Iranian proxies in the region. Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic and a possible contender for the position of Iran’s next Supreme Leader, has urged Iranians to remain on the streets and inside mosques. “Do not leave the streets and mosques for a moment. Our soft power, the hearts of the people, and the presence of the people on the scene is what has kept us here,” Khomeini said, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. — AgenciesTEHRAN — At least 555 people have been killed in Iran since joint US-Israeli strikes began on Saturday, according to the Red Crescent Society. Iranian state media quoted the Red Crescent as saying there had been attacks on 131 cities.At least nine hospitals have been “seriously damaged” in Iran, according to semi-official outlet Mehr News Agency, citing a lawmaker, as US-Israeli bombing entered a third day. “By attacking hospitals, international laws have been violated,” Mohammed Beigi, a member of the Iranian parliament, said Monday. Five people were killed in a separate attack on Iran Street, in the capital Tehran, Beigi added, rendering residential homes “uninhabitable” and flattening buildings to debris. The US and Israel launched a coordinated military assault on Iran Saturday – triggering retaliatory attacks from Tehran and other Iranian proxies in the region. Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic and a possible contender for the position of Iran’s next Supreme Leader, has urged Iranians to remain on the streets and inside mosques. “Do not leave the streets and mosques for a moment. Our soft power, the hearts of the people, and the presence of the people on the scene is what has kept us here,” Khomeini said, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. — Agencies