TEHRAN, June 18 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli airstrike struck near a building belonging to the Iranian Red Crescent in Tehran on Wednesday, according to the aid group. The Red Crescent, which reported the incident on its Telegram channel, stated that its facility did not appear to be the intended target.
The incident follows the deaths of several Red Crescent workers in earlier strikes. On Tuesday, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said four Iranian Red Crescent staff had been killed.
"We at the IFRC mourn the loss of four colleagues from the Iranian Red Crescent," the federation said. "Our hearts go out to their families, loved ones, and every member of the Iranian Red Crescent. In the face of danger, they continue to serve with courage and humanity."
Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israeli fighter jets destroyed "the headquarters of Iran's internal security forces" in the latest wave of strikes. His remarks followed an Israeli military announcement of new airstrikes targeting "military targets belonging to the Iranian regime" in Tehran.
In response, Abdolrahim Mousavi, chief of general staff of the Iranian army, said Iran's retaliatory actions so far had served as a deterrent and warned that "punitive operations will be carried out soon." He also urged residents of Tel Aviv and Haifa to evacuate "to save their lives."
Since Israel initiated the current aerial conflict on Friday, Iran has launched more than 400 ballistic missiles and about 1,000 drones at Israel, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The IDF said over 20 ballistic missiles struck urban areas, killing 24 people and wounding more than 500.
Iranian media have reported nearly 600 deaths in Israeli strikes since the hostilities began. ■
