Tehran: A large-scale military conflict has erupted after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran. The operation, named “Operation Epic Fury” by the Pentagon, targeted key military and government sites across the country.
Iran responded within hours. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced missile and drone attacks against Israel. Air raid sirens sounded across Israeli cities as the military activated defense systems.
Iranian state media reported that Ayatollah Khamenei was killed during the strikes in Tehran. According to these reports, the attack hit his compound and office. A 40-day mourning period has been declared.
However, the situation remains unclear. Iran’s foreign minister said Ayatollah Khamenei was alive “as far as I know.” He added that all senior officials were safe. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed there were “many signs” that the Iranian leader was no longer alive.
US President Donald Trump also commented on the reports. He said intelligence suggested Ayatollah Khamenei had been killed. Trump described the US strikes as “very powerful” and said operations would continue if needed.
Earlier reports from Reuters quoted a senior Israeli official who said Ayatollah Khamenei was targeted in joint US-Israeli strikes. Iranian media initially rejected those claims, saying he was directing the war effort from a secure location.
The attacks have caused heavy casualties. Iran’s Red Crescent said more than 200 people were killed and over 700 injured in 24 provinces. A strike on a girls’ school in Minab reportedly killed dozens of students. The judiciary later said the death toll from that attack had risen sharply.
Iran’s envoy to the United Nations called the strikes a “war crime.” He told the UN Security Council that civilian sites were hit and that children were among the victims. The UN chief urged an immediate end to hostilities.
Iran also launched missiles toward US bases in the Gulf region. Explosions were reported in Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Bahrain. Dubai International Airport confirmed minor damage, and a drone incident caused a small fire at the Burj Al Arab hotel. No injuries were reported there.
Tensions remain high across the Middle East. Several countries, including China and Iraq, have called for restraint. The UN Security Council has held an emergency meeting to address the crisis.
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As conflicting reports continue, the fate of Ayatollah Khamenei remains central to the unfolding conflict.
