The United States and Israel continued large-scale military strikes on Iran as Iranian authorities confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the attacks.
According to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Khamenei was performing official duties in his office when the strike occurred. Iranian state media reported that members of his family — including his daughter, son-in-law, grandson and daughter-in-law — were also killed.
Ayatollah Khamenei had been serving as Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, becoming the second leader after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Following the announcement, Tehran declared 40 days of national mourning and a seven-day public holiday across the country.
Senior Officials Among the Dead
Iranian state news agency confirmed that Chief of Staff Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi and Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh were also killed in the attacks.
Authorities further confirmed the deaths of:
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Ali Shamkhani, senior security adviser
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Mohammad Pakpour, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
Ahmad Vahidi has been appointed as the new IRGC Commander-in-Chief.
A temporary three-member leadership council has been formed to carry out the duties of the Supreme Leader. The council includes President Masoud Pezeshkian, the Chief Justice of Iran, and Ali Reza Arafi.
Rising Casualties
According to the Iranian Red Crescent, more than 200 people have been killed in US-Israeli strikes, including nearly 40 senior Iranian officials.
In the southern city of Minab, an attack on a girls’ school reportedly killed 108 people, most of them students.
Public Mourning in Tehran
Thousands of people gathered on the streets of Tehran following confirmation of Khamenei’s death.
President Masoud Pezeshkian described the killing as a “declaration of war against Muslims worldwide.”
Iran Launches Retaliatory Strikes
In response, Iran reportedly targeted 27 US military bases located in:
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United Arab Emirates
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Kuwait
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Bahrain
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Qatar
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Saudi Arabia
Iran also launched strikes on US and British military facilities in Cyprus.
Explosions were reported early morning in Iraq, Dubai, Doha and Oman.
The United Arab Emirates stated that Iran launched 137 missiles and 209 drones in its retaliatory wave. Al Jazeera reported at least 11 explosions in Doha.
International Reaction
Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the killing, calling it a “brutal act.”
China’s Foreign Minister held talks with his Russian counterpart and termed the attack on Iran “unacceptable.”
