(NewsNation) — Israel unleashed airstrikes across Iran for a third day on Sunday, and threatened even more force as some Iranian missiles dodged Israeli air defenses to strike buildings in the center of the country.
In Israel, at least 10 people were killed in Iranian strikes overnight and into Sunday, according to the Magen David Adom rescue service, bringing the country’s total death toll to 13. The country’s main international airport and airspace remained closed for a third day.
The Iranian Health Ministry said late Sunday that 224 people have been killed since Israel’s attack began Friday. The agency said another 1,277 people were hospitalized.
The paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which controls Iran’s arsenal of ballistic missiles, said intelligence chief Gen. Mohammad Kazemi and two other generals were the latest killed, Iran’s state TV reported Sunday night.
The region braced for an extended battle after Israel’s surprise attack on Iran’s nuclear and military sites on Friday, which killed several top generals and nuclear scientists.
Neither side has shown any sign of backing down. Iran has told mediators Qatar and Oman that it is not open to negotiating a ceasefire while it is under Israeli attack, an official briefed on the communications told Reuters on Sunday.
Iran said Israel struck two oil refineries, raising the prospect of a broader assault on Iran’s heavily sanctioned energy industry that could affect global markets.
Late Sunday morning, an IDF spokesperson announced it had struck an Iranian refueling aircraft at Mashhad Airport.
The Israeli military, via social media, warned Iranians to evacuate arms factories, which would signal further widening of the campaign.
Iran asks Cyprus to convey messages to Israel
Iran on Sunday asked Cyprus to convey “some messages” to Israel, President Nikos Christodoulides said.
Christodoulides acknowledged he expected to speak to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later in the day. He made it clear he was not happy with what he said was a slow reaction by the European Union to the unfolding crisis in the Middle East.
Cyprus is the closest European Union member state in the region, and Christodoulides has asked for an extraordinary meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council.
Continued attacks in Tehran
New explosions could be heard in the Iranian capital of Tehran on Sunday as Israeli strikes targeted Iran’s Defense Ministry on the third day after striking its air defenses, military bases, and sites associated with its nuclear program.
Photos shared by Iran’s ISNA News Agency showed bloodied people being helped from the scene of Israeli strikes in downtown Tehran.
Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said Israel hit a Foreign Ministry building in the north of Tehran.
Israeli strikes also targeted Iran’s Defense Ministry after hitting air defenses, military bases and sites associated with its nuclear program.
On Sunday night, Israel said it struck “numerous” sites across Iran that produce missile and air defense components.
Meanwhile, in Israel, some Iranian missiles slipped through the country’s air defenses. At least six people, including a 10-year-old and a 9-year-old, were killed when a missile hit an apartment building in Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv. The death toll in the country now is up to 13. The country’s main international airport and airspace remained closed for a third day.
Israeli rescuers search through the rubble at the site of an overnight Iranian missile strike in Bat Yam on June 15, 2025. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran would pay “a very heavy price” for killing Israeli civilians, during a June 15 visit to the site of a missile strike on a residential building near Tel Aviv, as the two foes kept up intense fighting. (Photo by Menahem Kahana / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images) 
TEHRAN, IRAN – JUNE 15: Smoke rises after Israeli airstrike in Tehran, Iran on June 15, 2025. (Photo by Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images) 
A general view shows heavily damaged buildings, following an overnight Iranian missile strike in Bat Yam on June 15, 2025. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran would pay “a very heavy price” for killing Israeli civilians, during a June 15 visit to the site of a missile strike on a residential building near Tel Aviv, as the two foes kept up intense fighting. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP) (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images)
World leaders call for reduced attacks on nuclear sites
World leaders have called on Israel and Iran to decrease strikes on nuclear sites.
Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister, said the continued assault on nuclear sites sets a “dangerous precedent”
Netanyahu brushed off such calls, saying Israel’s strikes so far are “nothing compared to what they will feel under the sway of our forces in the coming days.”
Israel, which represents the only undeclared nuclear-armed state in the Middle East, said it launched the attack to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
The two countries have been regional adversaries for decades.
Trump: Israel, Iran should make a deal
President Trump took to Truth Social on Sunday morning, suggesting both countries should come to an accord.
“We will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place. I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that’s OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!”
The president also denied the United States had any involvement with Israel’s continued attacks on Iran.
“The U.S. had nothing to do with the attack on Iran, tonight,” the White House posted on X. If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before.”
Trump has expressed full support for Israel’s actions while warning Iran that it can only avoid further destruction by agreeing to a new nuclear deal.
Speaking to ABC News late Sunday morning, the president said, “It’s possible” the United States could be involved, but is not presently.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.