Tehran (TDI): Iran has launched widespread retaliatory attacks across the Middle East following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during large-scale US and Israeli air strikes on the country.
The strikes, which began early Saturday, are described by Washington as “major combat operations” aimed at Iran’s leadership and military infrastructure. The situation marks one of the most serious escalations in the region in decades.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council announced on Sunday that Khamenei had been killed during the initial wave of strikes, with the statement broadcast on multiple state television channels. Satellite imagery released by Airbus Defense and Space showed heavy damage and smoke over a compound linked to the supreme leader in Tehran.
US President Donald Trump later wrote on Truth Social that Khamenei was “dead”, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli and US forces had struck “the heart of Tehran”.
President Trump said the operation was launched to ensure Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon. In video messages and social media posts, he said US forces would destroy Iran’s missile capabilities and urged Iranian armed forces to surrender, offering what he described as “complete immunity”.
Trump also called on the Iranian public to rise up against the clerical leadership, signalling what analysts describe as an explicit push toward regime change.
Read More: Iran Condemns US and Israeli Strikes, Vows Decisive Response
The US military’s United States Central Command said the objective was to dismantle Iran’s security apparatus and neutralise sites posing “imminent threats”. Iran has long insisted its nuclear program is civilian in nature.
Explosions have been reported across much of Iran. A spokesman for the Iranian Red Crescent said 24 of Iran’s 31 provinces were hit. Cities affected include Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah.
The Israel Defense Forces said around 200 fighter jets struck roughly 500 targets, including missile arrays, air defenses, drone launch sites and military airfields.
Iranian media reported more than 200 people killed and over 700 injured. At least 108 deaths were reported at a school in southern Iran. CBS News, citing intelligence sources, said around 40 senior Iranian officials were killed.
Israel said several senior figures died, including Defense Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, and IRGC commander Mohammad Pakpour. Iran later announced Ahmad Vahidi as the new IRGC commander.
Read More: Supreme Leader Surrounded: If Khamenei Falls, What Comes Next?
Iran has responded with ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israel and US-linked sites across the region. Countries including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates said they intercepted incoming missiles, though falling debris caused damage in some areas.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it struck multiple sites in Israel and five major US military facilities, including Al Udeid Air Base and the headquarters of the United States Fifth Fleet.
The IRGC also warned commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of global oil and gas supplies pass.
Israeli media reported that Iran fired about 150 ballistic missiles and dozens of drones at Israel. The IDF said two people were killed and at least 456 injured.
US Central Command said its forces successfully intercepted hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones, reporting no US casualties and minimal damage to installations.
Airspace across much of the Middle East has been closed, with airlines cancelling or diverting flights. Iran has shut its airspace indefinitely.
