Death Toll in Iran Surpasses 1,000 Amid Intensified US-Israel Bombings on Tehran
By: Juba Global News Network | JubaGlobal.com
March 5, 2026 – Updated 05:18 AM EST – Leesburg, Virginia
As the US-Israel joint military campaign against Iran—codenamed Operation Epic Fury by the United States and Operation Roaring Lion by Israel—enters its sixth day, the human cost has escalated dramatically. Iranian authorities and humanitarian organizations now report that the death toll inside Iran has surpassed 1,000, with fresh waves of airstrikes hammering Tehran and other major cities. The United Nations and human rights groups have issued urgent condemnations, labeling many of the attacks as potential violations of international humanitarian law and calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities to avert a broader regional catastrophe.
According to Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency and the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, the confirmed death toll stands at 1,045 as of March 5, 2026. This figure includes both military personnel and civilians, with hundreds more reported injured. The Iranian Red Crescent Society, which has been providing on-the-ground casualty assessments, previously reported figures climbing from 555 earlier in the week to 787 by March 3, before the latest surge pushed totals higher. Independent human rights monitors, such as the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), estimate civilian deaths alone at 1,097, with over 5,400 injured, highlighting discrepancies between official Iranian counts and external verifications amid restricted access to conflict zones.
Tehran has borne the brunt of the intensified bombardment. Residents describe relentless explosions rocking neighborhoods, government buildings, security headquarters, and infrastructure sites throughout the night of March 4 into March 5. Satellite imagery and eyewitness accounts shared with international media show plumes of smoke rising over the Iranian capital, with strikes targeting symbols of regime power, including sites linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and internal security forces. Reports indicate that strikes have hit densely populated areas, exacerbating civilian casualties.
Among the most harrowing incidents contributing to the rising toll was the initial strike on February 28 that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with family members and senior commanders in Tehran. That opening salvo set the tone for the campaign, which US and Israeli officials describe as aimed at degrading Iran’s missile capabilities, nuclear-related infrastructure (though the IAEA reports no confirmed damage to nuclear sites), air defenses, and command-and-control structures. Subsequent days have seen coordinated waves: more than 2,000 strikes reported by March 1, focusing on suppressing retaliation and achieving air dominance.
Civilian suffering has been acute. Early in the conflict, a strike on a primary school in Minab, southern Iran, killed at least 175 schoolgirls, teachers, and staff—described by UN officials as a grave violation of humanitarian law. Additional reports detail strikes on educational facilities in Tehran and other provinces, with Iran’s education ministry citing 186 students and teachers killed across locations. Funerals for victims, including mass ceremonies for schoolchildren, have been held under continued threat of bombardment, with some postponed due to ongoing explosions.
Iran has mounted fierce retaliation, launching hundreds of ballistic missiles and thousands of drones toward Israel and US bases in the Gulf region. These counterstrikes have killed at least 11 in Israel (including nine in a missile attack on Beit Shemesh), 6 US service members, and smaller numbers in Gulf states hosting American facilities. The asymmetry in reported casualties—far higher in Iran—has fueled accusations of disproportionate force.
The United Nations has repeatedly condemned the violence. Secretary-General António Guterres, addressing an emergency Security Council session, warned that the strikes and retaliations “undermine international peace and security” and risk “destruction on an unimaginable scale.” High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk deplored the use of bombs and missiles, noting that civilians “end up paying the ultimate price.” Iran’s UN ambassador has labeled the attacks “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity,” pointing to civilian deaths, including children. UN experts and Amnesty International have called for investigations into specific incidents, such as school bombings, and urged all parties to protect civilians under international humanitarian law.
The conflict shows no signs of abating. Pentagon officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have stated that operations are “accelerating,” with promises of “complete control” of Iranian skies in the coming days. Iran vows continued resistance, warning of strikes on regional economic and military infrastructure if attacks persist.
Humanitarian fallout is mounting: thousands flee Tehran and other cities, straining resources in neighboring provinces and borders. Access to food, medicine, and fuel is disrupted, with residents expressing fears over basic supplies. The war has already spilled over, with Israeli ground operations in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah and reports of Kurdish forces engaging Iranian targets.
As the death toll climbs past 1,000 in Iran alone, the international community faces mounting pressure to broker de-escalation. Diplomatic channels remain strained, with no immediate ceasefire in sight. The coming hours and days will determine whether this marks the peak of the violence or the prelude to even greater tragedy.
Juba Global News Network continues to monitor developments in real time. For the latest updates, visit JubaGlobal.com.
