Gunfire and explosions heard near Khamenei compound, Espinas Palace Hotel

Iran’s nuclear program poses a military threat to Israel, regional countries, and France, and urged renewed negotiations to avert escalation, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said.

“The Iranian nuclear program has a military purpose. It is an existential threat to Israel, to the countries of the region, and to us as well,” Barrot said in an interview with RTL radio.

“The only way to get rid of [this threat] is through negotiation,” he added, warning that “no one has an interest in a regional conflagration.”

Barrot called on all parties to act with restraint.

Sociologist Mostafa Mehraeen warned Ali Khamenei in an open letter that Iran is on the verge of collapse and urged a swift return to negotiations with the United States.

“Do not make people’s lives and the state of the country even darker than they already are,” Mehraeen wrote.

East Azarbaijan’s crisis management office confirmed Sunday that air defenses were activated over Tabriz and Sahand, responding to what officials called “Israeli aggression.”

No explosions have been reported, but defense systems were engaged throughout the morning, Noor News reported.

The office said the death toll in Tabriz has risen to 34.

Further Iranian missile attacks on Israel are expected in the coming days, IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said Sunday, as Israeli airstrikes on Tehran continued around the clock.

“Challenging days are ahead. There will be more launches and impacts in the coming days,” Defrin told reporters at a press conference.

He said Israeli jets were still targeting Iranian positions, especially in and around the capital.

“Even at this hour, we are striking dozens of targets in Tehran,” Defrin said. “We are deepening the damage to [Tehran’s] nuclear program and military capabilities, to disrupt and reduce the risk to the home front.”

Iran International audience reported explosions and smoke around Azimieh, near Karaj, following an Israeli strike.

Another message said drones were targeting air defense systems atop the surrounding mountains.

After the Israeli military warned of large-scale attacks on Tehran, reports emerged of blasts in various neighborhoods of the capital, including Shahrak-e Gharb, Saadatabad, Punak, Ekbatan, and Chitgar.

Residents across Tehran and Karaj described hearing multiple explosions and seeing air defense fire in the skies.