As the Israel-Iran conflict intensifies, both nations have issued stark evacuation warnings to civilians, signalling an escalation in their tit-for-tat military strikes.

On Monday, June 16, 2025, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and Iran’s Armed Forces urged residents in targeted areas to flee immediately, citing imminent attacks on military infrastructure and sensitive sites.

IDF’s call to Tehran residents

The Israeli military issued an unprecedented warning to residents of Tehran’s District 3, a densely populated area in the capital’s northeast housing over 330,000 people, including the headquarters of Iran’s state broadcaster, IRIB. IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee posted on X, “In the coming hours, the IDF will operate in the area, as it has in recent days throughout Tehran, to strike military infrastructure of the Iranian regime. Your presence in this area endangers your life.” A map attached to the warning highlighted the targeted zone, urging immediate evacuation.

The IDF’s alert follows a series of strikes on Tehran, including attacks on Iran’s Defense Ministry, nuclear facilities in Natanz and Isfahan, and the Quds Force headquarters, which have killed senior military officials and nuclear scientists. Israel claims “full aerial superiority” over Tehran, with ongoing operations targeting missile launchers and weapons stockpiles.

Iran’s stark warning to Israelis

In a parallel move, Iran’s Armed Forces issued a chilling warning to Israelis on Sunday, urging them to leave “Israeli-occupied territories” ahead of planned retaliatory strikes. Colonel Reza Sayyad, a spokesperson for the Armed Forces, declared, “Leave the occupied territories, because they won’t be inhabitable in the future!” He claimed Iran possesses a comprehensive database of sensitive Israeli targets, including military and security sites, decision-making centers, and residences of commanders and scientists.

“Do not let the criminal regime use you as human shields,” Sayyad warned, adding that underground shelters would not ensure safety. He emphasized that Iran’s recent missile barrages, which have struck Tel Aviv, Haifa, and other areas, demonstrate their capability to hit critical infrastructure. Iranian state media reported that these attacks, launched in retaliation for Israel’s strikes on nuclear and military sites, have killed at least 24 in Israel, while Israel’s assaults have claimed over 224 lives in Iran, including civilians.