Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint US–Israel airstrike on his compound in downtown Tehran, Iranian state media confirmed Sunday, casting uncertainty over the future of the Islamic Republic. Satellite images from Airbus showed extensive damage at the site. The 86-year-old’s daughter, son-in-law and grandson were also killed. Iran declared 40 days of national mourning and seven days of public holidays.
According to Associated Press, state media said at least 201 people were killed and more than 700 injured as exchanges of fire continued into the night. Israel said seven senior Iranian officials were killed alongside Khamenei, including IRGC commander General Mohammad Pakpour, Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh and Ali Shamkhani. The US military confirmed three service members were killed– its first casualties in the ongoing attacks. Israel said it dropped more than 1,200 munitions across 24 of Iran’s 31 provinces.
Trump urges Iranians to seize power: In an eight-minute video statement, Trump called the action “major combat operations” and urged Iranians to “take over your government” once the bombing ends. “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations,” he said, according to AP and Reuters.
“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” Trump wrote in a social media post. He warned of “heavy and pinpoint bombing” that he said would continue throughout the week and even beyond, part of a lethal assault the U.S. has justified as necessary to disable the country’s nuclear capabilities.
“To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces, and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity or in the alternative, face certain death,” Trump had said. A senior White House official said potential new Iranian leaders had indicated openness to talks.
Iran vows to hit hard: Iran, which responded to the strikes with its own counterassault, warned of retribution, with the Cabinet saying that this “great crime will never go unanswered.” The paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened to launch its “most intense offensive operation” ever targeting Israeli and American bases.
Iran retaliated with missiles and drone attacks on Israel and nearby Arab Gulf countries hosting U.S. forces. So far, Iran has launched strikes across eight countries in the region: Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Strait of Hormuz clamped: An oil tanker was attacked off the coast of Oman in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The attack came a day after IRGC declared via radio transmissions that the Strait of Hormuz was closed to international navigation.