‘Israel doomsday clock' intact
The digital countdown timer was installed in Palestine Square in the Iranian capital in 2017 to track the days until the end of the Jewish state, as predicted by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In September 2016, Khamenei said he hoped the 'Zionist regime' would perish within 25 years. The clock was placed next to a caption: 'Time left until the destruction of Israel.'
'In accordance with the directive of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and myself, the IDF is currently striking with unprecedented force regime targets and governmental repression bodies in the heart of Tehran, including the Basij headquarters, Evin Prison for political prisoners and regime opponents, the 'Destruction of Israel' clock in Palestine Square, IRGC internal security command centers, the ideological command, and other regime targets,' Katz said in a post on X.
However, later on Tuesday, Mehr News Agency released video footage purportedly showing the clock still intact and fully operational. The video, which appears to have been filmed earlier that same day, shows the glowing red LED digits counting down to September 2040, surrounded by passing traffic and pedestrians.
The conflicting statements come amid sharply escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, following a series of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, including sites in Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow. West Jerusalem claimed the attacks were preemptive, aimed at halting what it described as Iran's imminent progress toward developing a nuclear weapon.
Iran rejected the allegations and launched retaliatory missile strikes targeting Israel and US military bases in the region, including the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Both sides have reported civilian casualties. Israeli airstrikes in Tehran and other urban areas reportedly caused civilian deaths and damage to government and security facilities, while Iranian strikes on cities in southern Israel damaged infrastructure, also causing deaths and injuries among residents.
While Washington has attempted to broker a ceasefire, mutual accusations of violations persist, and both sides appear poised for further escalation. The crisis has fueled international concerns about the potential for a broader regional conflict and its impact on global security and energy markets.
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