Thousands of Iranians are fleeing Tehran today, jamming roads leading north out of the capital, as Israeli warplanes continue to bomb the city, hitting missile production sites and prompting mass civilian evacuations. The humanitarian crisis is deepening as the specter of direct U.S. military intervention looms, with President Donald Trump reportedly weighing options that include joining Israel in attacking Iranian nuclear facilities.

Overnight, 50 Israeli jets struck approximately 20 targets across Tehran, including facilities involved in producing raw materials, components, and manufacturing systems for missiles, an Israeli military official stated. Residents in a southwestern area of Tehran were specifically instructed by Israel to evacuate their homes ahead of anticipated airstrikes.

"We left Tehran this morning. My children were frightened, and we're going to stay at my brother's house near Karaj," Alireza, a 37-year-old businessman, told Reuters by phone, capturing the widespread fear. Arezou, 31, who found refuge in the nearby resort town of Lavasan, lamented, "My friend's house in Tehran was attacked and her brother was injured. They are civilians. Why are we paying the price for the regime's decision to pursue a nuclear program?"

Escalating Rhetoric and US Options

Iran has retaliated with a fresh volley of missiles aimed at Israel and issued a stern new warning to the United States: any direct participation in the war by Washington would be met with a forceful response. Iran's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, stated, "We will not show any reluctance in defending our people, security and land – we will respond seriously and strongly, without restraint." Bahreini also asserted that Iran already views the U.S. as "complicit in what Israel is doing."

The crisis has been further fueled by a flurry of social media posts from President Trump, who on Tuesday issued a demand for Iran's "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!" and even mused about killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, stating, "We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now...Our patience is wearing thin."

A source familiar with internal White House discussions confirmed that Trump and his team are indeed considering direct involvement, including joining Israel in strikes against Iran's nuclear sites. The U.S. is already deploying more fighter aircraft to the Middle East and extending the deployment of other warplanes, while intelligence reports suggest Iran has begun moving some ballistic missile launchers.

Civilian Casualties and Strategic Blows

Inside Iran, the intensity of the attacks, the largest since the 1980s war with Iraq, has reportedly wiped out an echelon of senior leadership. Iranian officials have reported at least 224 deaths, predominantly civilians, though this toll has not been updated for days. To prevent panic and manage information, Iranian authorities have banned public filming and placed limits on fuel purchases. The inner circle of Supreme Leader Khamenei has reportedly been significantly narrowed, raising concerns about potential strategic miscalculations.

In Israel, Iran's retaliatory strikes mark a critical shift, as a significant number of missiles from Iran have penetrated air defenses for the first time in decades, killing civilians. Since Friday, Iran has launched around 400 missiles at Israel, with approximately 40 piercing through air defenses and resulting in 24 civilian deaths, according to Israeli authorities. Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv again on Wednesday morning as two barrages of Iranian missiles were launched.

Reports also emerged of clashes in the city of Rey, south of Tehran, between security forces and unidentified gunmen linked to Israel, suspected of planning "terrorist operations." Iranian news websites further claimed attacks on a university linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in the country’s east, and the Khojir ballistic missile facility near Tehran.

The conflict has also spurred Iran to explore economic leverage, with a former Economy Minister suggesting that Iran should quickly start requiring permission for tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most vital oil shipping artery. This move, if implemented, could severely impact global oil markets.

As the conflict deepens, the international community watches nervously, grappling with the increasing civilian toll and the looming prospect of a regional conflagration.

Tehran Under Siege: Thousands Flee as Israeli Bombs Fall and US Considers Direct Action

Escalating Rhetoric and US Options

Civilian Casualties and Strategic Blows

As the conflict deepens, the international community watches nervously, grappling with the increasing civilian toll and the looming prospect of a regional conflagration.