At least 18 killed in US-Israeli attacks in northern Iran

TEHRAN — At least 18 people were killed, including two children, and 24 others injured in US-Israeli attacks targeting residential areas in northern Iran on Tuesday, Iranian media reported. Fars News Agency, citing a deputy governor of Alborz province, said the strikes hit homes and shelters in the region in the morning. The official said 18 people were confirmed dead, including two children, and 24 others were injured and taken to medical centers for treatment. Meanwhile, a container ship has been struck by an unknown projectile in waters south of Kish Island in Iran, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported. Kish Island is a resort island in the Hormozgan Province off the southern coast of Iran. The incident has caused damage to parts of the vessel above the waterline, UKMTO says, adding that the “crew are safe and accounted for”. Fars news agency reported that railway services have been canceled in Mashhad, in the north-east of Iran, following a warning from the Israeli military that Iranians should avoid travelling by train as it “endangers your life”. The governor of Mashhad is quoted as saying trains will cease “until further notice” as a precaution. The statement also says alternative road transport is available for passengers who cannot delay their journey. Regional escalations have continued to rage since Israel and the US launched an offensive against Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian authorities have not updated the toll in recent days. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation. — Agencies