Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed Saturday in a joint attack by the United States and Israel, state media confirmed. The strikes, the largest on Iranian targets in decades, prompted a response from Iran, with missiles fired at Israel and several other countries.
Khamenei’s Death and Initial Response
Iran state television announced a 40-day mourning period and seven public holidays following Khamenei’s death, who had been in power since 1989. A presenter stated that Khamenei’s “path and mission…will be pursued with greater vigour and zeal.”
A senior Israeli official told Reuters that the Iranian leader’s body had been found after the strike. US President Donald Trump said the United States worked closely with Israel to target Khamenei, who had led Iran since 1989.
Iran has called the strikes unprovoked and illegal, responding with missile launches targeting Israel and at least seven other countries, including Gulf states hosting US bases.
Operation Epic Fury and US Objectives
Trump described the strikes as the biggest foreign-policy gamble of his presidency, undertaken while campaigning for re-election as a “peace president.” He stated the aim was to end a decades-long conflict with Iran and prevent the development of a nuclear weapon.
Trump said intelligence and tracking systems monitored Khamenei’s whereabouts, adding that the leader and other killed officials “could do not a thing.” He reiterated calls for Iranians to topple their government, warning that bombing would continue “uninterrupted…to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!”
The US Department of Defense named the military campaign Operation Epic Fury, aiming to “eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”
Additional Casualties and Regional Impact
Iranian Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour were among those killed in the attacks, according to three sources familiar with the matter. Israel’s military confirmed the deaths of five other senior military commanders, including Ali Shamkhani, an advisor to Khamenei. Iranian media reported that Khamenei’s daughter, grandchild, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law were also killed.
Some Iranians celebrated in Tehran, Karaj, and Isfahan following reports of Khamenei’s death.
Iran warned that the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global oil, had been closed, leading to expectations of a sharp increase in oil prices. Airlines cancelled flights in the Middle East.
Escalation and Further Threats
Israel’s military said 200 fighter jets completed the largest flying mission in its history, hitting 500 targets throughout Iran, including strategic defence systems.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they would launch the “most ferocious” operation in history against Israel and US bases, stating they had so far used only “scrap missiles” and would soon unveil previously unseen weapons.
Missiles were fired at Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha, key aviation hubs. Aviation sources reported damage to an airport terminal in Dubai and a hotel district. Loud explosions were heard in Abu Dhabi, and a missile attack targeted the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. Qatar said it downed all missiles targeting the country and Kuwait confirmed a missile attack on a US military base there.
Negotiations between US and Iranian officials took place as recently as Thursday, but Iran was unwilling to abandon its ability to enrich uranium.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Trump faced pushback from some Democrats and Republicans who questioned the legality of the campaign without congressional approval.
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