US and Israel Launch Major Assault on Iran, Killing Supreme Leader Khamenei
A joint military operation by the United States and Israel has resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Donald Trump announced Saturday. The strikes, which targeted sites across Iran, mark a significant escalation in tensions and open a new chapter in U.S. Intervention in the region.
Escalation and Strikes
The attacks began Saturday morning, with waves of strikes hitting locations throughout Iran. Targets included military sites, symbols of government, and intelligence facilities. According to an Israeli official, President Masoud Pezeshkian was too targeted. The first apparent strikes occurred near the offices of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. Several senior Revolutionary Guards commanders and political officials were reportedly killed, including the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, and Iranian defense minister Aziz Nasirzadeh The Times of Israel.
International Response and Flight Disruptions
Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar closed their airspace on Saturday, leading to temporary flight cancellations by several airlines. Airspace in southern Syria was also closed. President Trump called on the Iranian public to “seize control of your destiny” and rise up against the Islamic leadership AP News.
Civilian Impact and Reactions
Reports indicate significant civilian casualties. State-controlled Iranian media reported at least 100 children were killed in a strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in Minab, southern Iran, with dozens more unaccounted for. The report and accompanying video footage have been verified by Persian factchecking service Factnameh and Reuters.
Iranians expressed a mix of terror and hope. Some welcomed the strikes as a potential catalyst for political change, while others feared increased civilian deaths. Residents in Tehran sheltered in their homes or rushed to find their children as schools shut down. Many had been preparing for potential conflict by stockpiling supplies.
Diplomatic Context and Recent Protests
The attacks occurred amidst ongoing diplomatic negotiations between Iran and the U.S. They also followed weeks of escalating tensions and came approximately seven weeks after the Iranian government violently suppressed nationwide anti-regime demonstrations. According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA), over 7,000 people have been confirmed dead in the protests, with more than 11,000 deaths still under investigation.
US Military Involvement
The U.S. Began “major combat operations” in Iran, with President Trump stating the campaign aims to prevent the Iranian regime from threatening America and its national security interests. Images released by U.S. Central Command show missiles being launched from a U.S. Navy ship AP News.
Retaliation and Ongoing Conflict
Iran launched retaliatory drone and missile strikes against American and Israeli targets, hitting a U.S. Navy base in Bahrain. However, no American service members were wounded or killed in these attacks USA Today. President Trump indicated that bombing would continue “uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective.”