US and Israel Expand Airstrikes Across Iran; Indian Medical Students Shelter After Shiraz Explosion

A rapid escalation of US and Israeli airstrikes swept across Iran, prompting missile alerts, airstrikes and the temporary shutdown of major transport hubs as civilians sheltered in tunnels and bomb shelters.

“# Iran’s President Issues Apology as Regional Strikes Continue Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a formal apology on Saturday for ongoing missile and drone attacks against Gulf Arab states, signaling a significant breakdown in the central government’s command over its military forces”

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Canadian reporting described the wave as broad enough to trigger "missile alerts, airstrikes and airport shutdowns," and said Dubai International Airport "temporarily suspended operations after passengers sheltered in train tunnels heard a loud boom," while summarizing that "Israel said it struck multiple targets in Iran" in what it called one of the largest strike waves involving "over 80 fighter jets."

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Indian coverage noted that the wider strikes had reached university areas, producing local explosions and mass sheltering among students in Shiraz.

Iran responded with repeated attacks on Gulf states.

Tehran experienced explosions and airstrikes, creating a highly fraught regional environment and widespread sheltering.

The New Indian Express

A Canadian summary reported that 'Iran launched repeated attacks on Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.'

The Canadian summary also said explosions and new airstrikes hit Tehran and that loud booms sent people to bomb shelters in Jerusalem.

The Canadian summary noted uncertainty about casualties, saying 'no immediate casualty reports were available.'

Indian reporting described missiles reaching other cities such as Arak.

In Arak, a medical student reported seeing intercepts and described the situation as frightening.

Political and command confusion within Iran was emphasized in international coverage alongside official acknowledgements and apologies.

“Iran’s president rejected a demand by the United States for an unconditional surrender on Saturday and apologized for Iran’s attacks on regional countries, as Israel and the United States kept up their airstrikes targeting the Islamic Republic”

thecanadianpressnews.ca

The Canadian report said Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, apologized to neighboring Gulf countries for Iran’s attacks, suggested miscommunication in the armed forces, and blamed the Feb. 28 killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for a loss of command and control.

The Canadian report also recorded continuing state media praise for the strikes.

Indian reporting focused on the safety and evacuation concerns of foreign students amid that volatile atmosphere.

The situation placed Indian nationals, especially medical students, in immediate peril and sparked evacuation discussions.

The New Indian Express reported that nearly 100 Indian MBBS students at Shiraz University took shelter in their hostel basement after a massive explosion near the university’s passport office.

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The article said many students wanted to leave after an Indian government advisory but stayed because of impending university exams.

About half of the students at Urmia University of Medical Sciences are willing to accept an evacuation option offered by the Indian Embassy to fly back via Armenia.

Canadian coverage underlined broader civilian disruption across the region, including airport closures and fuel-price impacts tied to the conflict’s economic fallout.