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As Israel-Iran War Rages On, Civilians Pay the Highest Price

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As Israel-Iran War Rages On, Civilians Pay the Highest Price

The Middle East is once again standing on the precipice of chaos. Since Israel’s sweeping strike on Friday, June 13, targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure, the region has descended into its most dangerous crisis in decades. What began as a so-called preemptive operation has rapidly escalated into a brutal exchange of firepower between Israel and Iran, leaving hundreds dead and thousands more injured. Civilians, as is too often the case, are paying the highest price.

Iran’s retaliation—launched under “Operation True Promise 3″—has sent waves of missiles into Israeli cities, from Tel Aviv to Haifa. The strikes have decimated homes and critical infrastructure, while Israel continues to claim dominance over Tehran’s skies, targeting key military and energy assets. As leaders fall and cities burn, both nations are digging deeper into their military arsenals, but no closer to resolution. Amid all this, diplomacy, which once showed signs of life, has been silenced by missile fire.

Diplomacy Derailed, Negotiations Deadlocked

Just days before the eruption, Tehran and Washington were inching toward renewed nuclear talks. Those plans have now been shelved. Iran cancelled a scheduled round of negotiations in Oman, firmly stating it would not negotiate under fire. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has outright dismissed de-escalation, reiterating his goal to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities—by force if necessary.

US President Donald Trump, while urging both sides to “make a deal,” simultaneously hinted that conflict might be a necessary prelude. His administration’s unclear position—swinging between back-channel peace efforts and indirect support for Israeli operations—has further muddied prospects for stability.

Civilians in the Crossfire

The human cost is staggering. Iran’s health ministry reports over 224 civilians killed, including women and children. The Israeli toll is rising as well, with missile strikes killing at least 14 and wounding hundreds. In both countries, the wounded crowd hospitals, and families grieve their dead amid shattered homes and burning buildings. In Tehran, the government is now turning metro stations and mosques into bomb shelters.

This isn’t just a war between nations—it’s a war tearing through the lives of everyday people.

International students, like the nine from Karnataka stranded in Iran, are also caught in this spiral. With airports targeted and embassies shuttered, evacuation efforts are facing serious challenges. Meanwhile, Iran-linked militias in Iraq have warned that if the United States intervenes, they will strike American military bases in the region, risking broader confrontation.

The Regional Domino Effect

The economic consequences are rippling beyond the battlefield. Egypt’s currency nosedived, markets across the region are plunging, and power grids have been disrupted by missile strikes. As sirens wail across Israel and Iran, neighboring states are scrambling to protect their borders and brace for fallout. Even countries like Pakistan have been dragged into the rumor mill, forced to deny reports that they were supplying missiles to Iran.

French President Emmanuel Macron, among others, has issued repeated calls for de-escalation. Yet peace talks are paralyzed. Iran insists it will only resume dialogue after completing its retaliation. Israel, emboldened by its tactical success, sees no incentive to pause.

What Happens Next?

It is no longer a question of whether the region is at war—it is. The question is how much wider this war will spread and how long it will take global powers to intervene meaningfully. Both Israel and Iran are acting on long-held fears and ambitions. But history shows us that even the most entrenched conflicts reach a breaking point, where talk must replace force.

For now, diplomacy is a distant dream. But leaders must find the courage to pivot. Because the longer missiles fly, the further peace drifts away. And the more civilians—those who have no role in this geopolitical contest—will die in its wake.