Israeli attacks kill 585 in Iran, rights group says
A US-based rights watchdog says at least 585 people have been killed in Iran as a result of Israeli strikes, with more than 1,300 others wounded.
Human Rights Activists, a group based in Washington, DC, reported that among the dead are 239 civilians and 126 members of Iran's security forces.
Tehran has not provided frequent updates on casualties. Its most recent figures, released on Monday, listed 224 dead and 1,277 injured.
The group, which became prominent for documenting the 2022 protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, said it compiles its data by verifying local reports with its network of sources across Iran.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Middle East Eye
an hour ago
- Middle East Eye
Iranians struggle to flee Tehran amid Israeli strikes, bumper-to-bumper traffic and fuel shortages
On Saturday, the horrors of of war resurfaced in Mohammad's mind. He watched from the side walk as his nine-year-old daughter, sitting in a car with his wife, three-year-old son, and his wife's family, turned her head and peered out of the window to say goodbye. In that moment, he was taken back 37-years to the Iran-Iraq war, to the day he had been riding in a car with his mother and sister, fleeing missile strikes on the capital, Tehran. Today, Iran is once again under heavy bombardment with Israeli air strikes targeting residential areas, civilian buildings, hospitals, media offices, and military sites. The capital, he says, now bears a resemblance to how it looked in 1987, during the final year of the eight-year war that Iraq began with the backing of the US and other western powers. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "The fear in my daughter's eyes brought back the memory of leaving my father behind, not knowing if we'd ever see him again," Mohammad, who still remains in Tehran, told Middle East Eye. Iranians scramble to find safety after Israeli threats to target civilians Read More » "My father didn't even get a chance to say goodbye. A traffic officer told our driver to move the car, and I remember seeing my father running along the side walk, waving at us through the window," he recalled that day. Mohammad's wife and children left Tehran on Saturday after an Israeli air strike hit the nearby Mehrabad airport. They are now staying with relatives north of the capital. Mohammad, however, says he was unable to join them as his mother, who recently suffered a heart attack, is in critical condition and needs care at home. "My mother is too ill to travel. We can't keep her in a car for hours," he said. "That's why my sister and I decided to stay and take care of her." Heavy traffic For thousands of Iranians, the journey out of Tehran has been fraught with difficulty. Since Saturday, when Israel's attacks on civilian areas intensified, many of the city's near 10 million residents decided to leave. This led to major traffic jams and long queues at petrol stations. According to Mohammad, what should have been a 3.5-hour trip for his family ended up taking more than 12. Other sources told MEE that traffic on all routes out of Tehran remained heavy until Monday night. One resident from Chitgar, a neighbourhood heavily damaged during the first day of Israeli attacks, said it took them over eight hours to reach Shemshak, a town just 59km north of Tehran. 'This is my home. Where would I go, and why should I leave at all?' Roya, 62-year-old who lives alone The resident, who asked not to be named, said that after four hours of driving, they tried to turn back, but the road had been made one-way due to the traffic. They had no choice but to remain stuck on the road. The road from Tehran to Shemshak is narrow and winding, passing through mountainous terrain. It often becomes blocked during high traffic, even on normal weekends. But in recent days, heavy congestion has affected not just local roads but also major highways connecting Tehran to other cities. Fariborz, 73, was among those caught in the traffic on Sunday. He, his wife, sister, and brother-in-law were on the highway from Tehran to Fouman, a city 398km to the northeast. They were stuck for seven hours and managed to get only 80km from the capital. "At my age, I can't sit behind the wheel for long," Fariborz said. "My whole body was aching, and we were running low on petrol. So we turned around at the first chance we got and went back home," he added. On Tuesday, Fariborz and his wife finally left Tehran, this time by renting a taxi, as their car had run out of fuel. Fuel restrictions Long lines for petrol, which began forming on the first day of the Israeli attacks on Tehran, are still visible in the capital and nearby cities. Fuel rationing has also been introduced. Before the war, car owners received 60 litres of gas per month at a subsidised price of 15,000 Iranian rials per litre, about $0.018 on the open market, and could buy more at the market rate of 30,000 rials, about $0.36. Since the war began, the monthly allowance has been cut to 25 litres, and drivers can now only buy 10 litres at a time at the market rate. These restrictions have also caused a rise in public transportation fares. State Department pushes 'peace' narrative as Trump threatens Iran Read More » Reza, 76, who lives with his 70-year-old wife near the national broadcasting complex, hit by an air strike on Monday, has been directly affected by the increase in costs. Reza, who doesn't own a car, has been trying to leave Tehran using public transportation since Saturday, but all buses and shared taxis were fully booked. Eventually, a relative in Behshahr, a city in the north, found a taxi driver willing to come to Tehran and take them back, on the condition that Reza pay for the round trip. He agreed. Speaking to MEE on Tuesday, Reza said the driver was expected to arrive in Tehran on Wednesday. "That is, unless he changes his mind or raises the price again," Reza said. "He told us the fare is almost twice the usual rate and called it a 'wartime price'." The journey is expected to cost him around $60, nearly a third of his monthly pension of about $200. But for some residents, it is not just the fuel prices, taxi costs, or traffic that keep them from leaving. Roya, 62, lives alone in the basement of a three-story apartment in central Tehran. When asked why she has decided to stay, she said she made the same choice during the Iran-Iraq war, even when her neighbourhood was bombed. "This is my home. Where would I go, and why should I leave at all?" she said.
Arabian Post
an hour ago
- Arabian Post
Ohio legislature backs mining, self‑custody and tax relief
Lawmakers in Ohio's House Technology and Innovation Committee have approved House Bill 116 — dubbed the 'Bitcoin Rights' measure — with a unanimous 13‑0 vote. The legislation safeguards personal control over encrypted digital assets, explicitly legalises individual and corporate mining and node operation, and provides a state income‑tax break of up to US $200 per transaction in capital gains from digital assets. The bill, formally titled the Ohio Blockchain Basics Act, moves to the full House for a vote as part of an initiative to position the state as a hub for blockchain and cryptocurrency operations. At the heart of the measure is the protection of self‑custody rights, allowing citizens to keep their crypto in hardware or self‑hosted wallets without interference from state or local authorities. It also shields miners and node operators from regulatory burdens. Individuals may mine at home, in residential zones, and businesses may operate industrial‑scale mining farms where zoning rules permit. Additionally, digital‑asset activities such as mining, staking, token swaps and node‑running would not trigger money‑transmitter or investment licensing requirements. ADVERTISEMENT Another key component is the $200 per transaction exclusion from Ohio state income tax on capital gains from digital assets used as payment. That threshold is set to rise annually with inflation, offering relief to small‑scale users and encouraging routine use of cryptocurrency in commerce. Local governments, including municipalities and charter counties, would also be barred from imposing their own taxes or fees on such transactions. The legislative analysis explains that the bill prevents state or locality from prohibiting acceptance of crypto as payment or from confiscating hardware or wallets. In industrial zones, mining operations enjoy protections from discriminatory rezoning, though noise and zoning regulations still apply. Proponents, including the bill's primary sponsor, Representative Steve Demetriou, have framed the bill as a foundational move to foster technology innovation, champion financial autonomy and attract blockchain businesses to Ohio. The bipartisan, unanimous committee vote reflects broad political willingness to embed crypto‑friendly measures at state level. Supporters argue Ohio will benefit economically by drawing in infrastructure investment and fostering public familiarity with digital assets — especially with enhanced legal certainty and tax incentives in place. However, critics caution that the bill may leave regulatory gaps, presenting consumer‑protection and environmental challenges. Concerns have been raised over potential disregard for energy‑intensive mining's impact on local power grids and carbon emissions. Others warn that dubbing activities like mining and staking as outside the scope of money‑transmitter laws could allow for unmonitored financial operations. Industry experts and legal analysts note that the bill's nuanced definitions — covering digital assets, hardware wallets, self‑hosted wallets, nodes and mining operations — constitute one of the more comprehensive legal frameworks for crypto in the US. Its allowance for pension funds to study digital‑asset ETF investment is also seen as a significant institutional development. Under the bill, each state retirement system must submit a report within a year assessing the viability, advantages and risks of investing in digital‑asset ETFs, and offer recommendations to reduce exposure in case of such investments. Should the full House and Senate pass the bill and the governor sign it, Ohio will rank among the most crypto‑welcoming states. Observers suggest that its balanced approach — mixing legal clarity, tax relief and targeted environmental zoning controls — may serve as a model for other jurisdictions exploring blockchain policy frameworks. With the committee stage complete, attention now turns to the legislature's upper chamber, where further amendments or debates may arise. Policy‑wonks will be watching for potential changes on environmental stipulations and consumer protections, as well as alterations to the tax‑exemption levels.
Arabian Post
2 hours ago
- Arabian Post
UAE Delivers Stern Warning Over Israel‑Iran Escalation
The United Arab Emirates has cautioned against a dangerous spiral between Israel and Iran, as its foreign minister strongly warned that 'uncalculated and reckless steps' might spread beyond the conflict zones. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed deep concern over escalating military actions that risk drawing in neighbouring states and aggravating regional instability, the UAE Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. Abu Dhabi's heightened alarm follows a sharp intensification of hostilities. Israel has launched airstrikes against military and nuclear sites in Iran, including key locations near Tehran and the Natanz nuclear facility. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israeli urban centres, including Tel Aviv and Haifa. Casualties in both countries continue to escalate, and the attacks have disrupted diplomatic efforts and global stability. In a show of diplomatic solidarity, President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan phoned Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss the unfolding crisis, according to state-run WAM. He reiterated that the UAE is pursuing intense diplomatic efforts with international partners to calm the situation and called for de‑escalation while expressing solidarity with the Iranian people. ADVERTISEMENT The tone from the UAE underscores its recent pivot towards regional diplomacy. After normalising ties with Israel through the Abraham Accords in 2020 and mending relations with Iran, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a mediator. Sheikh Abdullah insisted there is 'no alternative to political and diplomatic solutions' and urged action from the United Nations and Security Council to achieve an immediate ceasefire. He warned that missteps could undermine decades of fragile peace and recovery efforts. The international community has watched the situation with concern. The G7 and EU have called for restraint, while countries such as Germany, France, Turkey and the UK urged immediate dialogue to defuse the crisis. Russia, which has labelled Israel's cross‑border airstrikes as illegal, further reinforces the complex geopolitical backdrop. Iran's ability to launch hypersonic missiles and ballistic counterstrikes reflects its growing regional military sophistication and intensifies the stakes of the conflict. Iran also described its missile campaign as demonstrating 'complete control over the skies' after multiple successful salvos. Meanwhile, Israel asserts it has eliminated senior Iranian military figures and imposed heavy damage on Iranian nuclear facilities. UAE's diplomatic pressure is also clear in its appeal to international law and the sovereignty of nations. Sheikh Abdullah emphasised that future stability depends on adherence to global norms: 'wisdom, restraint, and adherence to international law are essential to avoid a wider crisis'. Abu Dhabi rebuked both sides for escalating across sovereign borders without authorisation. Regional oil markets have already felt the impact. International energy prices spiked amid fears of supply chain disruption in the Gulf, and airspace restrictions have affected civilian flights throughout neighbouring countries. The broader economic fallout underlines the conflict's capacity to create systemic risks well beyond military theatre. Diplomats now look to the UAE's renewed mediation efforts. Abu Dhabi is reported to have engaged regional and Western partners—including Qatar, Oman, and US-aligned Gulf states—to serve as a conduit for dialogue between Tehran and Jerusalem. The UAE's unique position, bridging both sides, may provide the narrow path toward back‑channel negotiation. Despite diplomatic outreach, tensions remain alarmingly high. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed Israel's resolve to press on, stating that it will 'do what we need to do' to protect its interests, including potential regime‑change aims in Tehran. Iran, meanwhile, has categorically ruled out any ceasefire, citing its obligation to defend sovereignty and maintain deterrence. This volatile mix of military action and diplomatic urgency risks engulfing the broader Middle East. The UAE's outspoken warning reinforces a critical message: without measured restraint and coordinated conflict‑resolution efforts, the crisis could transcend national borders and spark extended regional conflagration.
