BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 28. US and Israeli airstrikes across Iran have so far killed 201 people in 24 provinces, Iranian Red Crescent spokeswoman Moktaba Khaledi said, Trend reports.
According to Khaledi, 74 people were also injured in the attacks. He added that more than 220 emergency response teams are actively conducting rescue operations at the affected sites.
Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East.
The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. On the morning of February 28, Israel and the U.S. began launching strikes on Iran from land, sea, and air.