Just before the ceasefire between Iran and Israel was set to begin, overnight Israeli airstrikes killed nine Iranian civilians, including top nuclear scientist Mohammad Reza Siddiqi Sabir. The strikes also destroyed four residential buildings in northern Iran, as reported by Iranian state media on Tuesday.
According to AFP, the deadly attacks occurred in Gilan province in northern Iran, shortly before the ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump. A local official confirmed the destruction of homes and damage to surrounding areas, marking the strikes as some of the most intense since the conflict began.
Press TV reported that Mohammad Reza Siddiqi Sabir was killed while visiting his parents in Astaneh Ashrafiyeh. He was previously listed under US sanctions. His 17-year-old son was also killed days earlier in a separate attack on their home in Tehran.
Explosions continued throughout the night in Tehran, particularly in the northern and central districts. Journalists on the ground described these strikes as the heaviest since the war began 12 days ago. Iran’s health ministry reported that a total of 400 civilians have died in Israeli attacks during the conflict.
Meanwhile, the full extent of Israel’s own losses remains unclear. Due to military censorship, official figures are limited, but reports confirm that over 50 missile strikes have impacted various areas. Before Tuesday’s attacks, 24 deaths had been officially confirmed inside Israel.
President Trump announced the ceasefire hours after Iran fired missiles at a US military base in Qatar. He stated that both Iran and Israel would stop attacks within the next six hours after completing their final missions. Trump added that the ceasefire would begin with Iran, followed by Israel, and would be officially recognized globally after 24 hours. He urged both nations to act peacefully and with dignity during the transition.