Amid intensifying hostilities between Iran and Israel, global powers—including the United States, China, and Israel—have issued urgent advisories for civilians to evacuate Tehran, warning that the conflict could escalate into a full-scale war.
On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) delivered a stark warning via social media, calling on residents in parts of Tehran to evacuate immediately. The message, shared by IDF Arabic spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee, cited imminent strikes on “military infrastructure” and echoed the tone of previous IDF alerts in Gaza.
The evacuation appeal follows Israel’s military campaign inside Iran, which began Friday with airstrikes targeting nuclear and military installations. Israeli forces claim to have secured air superiority over major regions of Iran, including Tehran, and have launched attacks on critical oil, gas, and missile sites.
Former US President Donald Trump, currently attending the G7 summit in Italy, added to concerns with a dire message on Truth Social: “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” Emphasizing his continued opposition to Iran’s nuclear program, he declared, “IRAN CANNOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON.” While stopping short of confirming direct US involvement, Trump hinted at upcoming actions, stating, “As soon as I leave here, we’re going to be doing something.”
Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in Tel Aviv advised Chinese nationals to leave Israel and the surrounding region via land crossings into Jordan, citing closed airspace, mounting civilian casualties, and a deteriorating security situation.
In response, Iranian officials warned of severe repercussions should the conflict persist. On Monday, Tehran threatened to exit the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a key agreement curbing the spread of nuclear arms. A government representative stated that “all options” were being considered in light of the Israeli offensive.
Since the onset of hostilities on Friday, Iranian officials report at least 224 fatalities—mostly civilians—while Israeli sources cite 24 dead and over 590 wounded.
The ongoing clash marks the most dangerous escalation between Iran and Israel to date. Though long-standing adversaries engaged in cyberwarfare, covert operations, and proxy battles, the current crisis has heightened significantly since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on Israel. That attack triggered a wave of regional confrontations involving Hezbollah, Iranian-aligned militias, and now, direct military engagement between Iran and Israel.
The possibility of a broader war—with nuclear consequences—now looms large over the Middle East.
