Sipu Jha
With the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran launched attacks against the United States and Israel, hitting key US military bases in the region and targeting Israeli sites.Operation Epic Fury, the US-led military action under President Donald Trump, achieved its most critical objective: the killing of Khamenei in strikes early Sunday in Tehran. The operation reportedly also killed Khamenei’s daughter and grandchild, as the attacks hit several key locations in the Iranian capital.“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” Donald Trump declared on his Truth Social. The offensive marked a major escalation, with Trump launching a full-scale operation aimed at dismantling the Khamenei-led political establishment and reshaping power dynamics in the oil-rich nation. Israel, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, also joined the strikes under the codename Operation Lion’s Roar.
Loud explosions heard in Tehran
Several loud explosions were heard in Tehran on Sunday, Iranian state media reported. The blasts came after Israel said it had launched another wave of strikes. The Israeli military said it targeted Iran’s ballistic missile and air defence systems on Sunday morning.
MEA advisory
The Ministry of External Affairs issued an advisory for foreign nationals in India who have had to change travel plans due to the escalating security situation in West Asia. The MEA urged affected individuals to contact their nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for assistance with visa extensions or to regularise their stay. It said the concerned FRROs will facilitate the required formalities. The advisory follows widespread flight cancellations and airspace restrictions triggered by the ongoing US–Israel–Iran conflict, which has disrupted international travel, including services to and from India.Also read: Why Saturday? How Israel-US strikes targeted Khamenei and his inner circle
Iran strikes US naval base in Kuwait
Iran also struck US military bases in Kuwait, according to the IRGC. “The American naval base in the Abdullah Mubarak area of Kuwait was hit by four ballistic missiles and 12 drones. All infrastructure was destroyed, and a large number of American personnel were killed or injured. Additionally, the MST-class combat support ship, carrying fuel for American vessels in the Indian Ocean, was hit by Iranian Qadr 380 missiles,” the report said.Also read: More explosions in Dubai, Doha and Manama; airports targeted?
Iran’s top military leadership killed
Apart from Khamenei, Iran also reported that Gen. Abdol Rahim Mousavi and Defence Minister Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh were also killed in an airstrike on a defence council meeting. The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, Maj Gen Mohammad Pakpour, and senior security adviser Ali Shamkhani were also killed, according to IRNA.
Civilian toll rises in Iran
Iranian prosecutor Ebrahim Taheri said 148 people were killed and 95 wounded after a US–Israeli strike hit a girls’ school in Minab county in southern Iran.
Iran forms interim leadership council
A constitutional council has been formed to govern Iran following Khamenei’s death. The body includes President Masoud Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and a member of the Guardian Council selected by the Expediency Council. Under Iranian law, the Assembly of Experts must appoint a new supreme leader “as soon as possible.”
Iran vows retaliation
Pezeshkian denounced Khamenei’s killing “as a great crime” and promised a response.“This great crime will never remain unanswered and will turn a new page in the history of the Islamic world and Shiism. The pure blood of this high-ranking leader will flow like a roaring spring and will eradicate American-Zionist oppression and crime,” his office said.“This time too, with all our strength and determination, with the support of the Islamic nation and the free people of the world, we will make the perpetrators and commanders of this great crime regret it,” it added.Pezeshkian also declared seven days of public holidays in addition to the 40-day mourning period. Iran’s parliament speaker said the country had prepared for “all scenarios” including Khamenei’s death.
‘They better not do that’: Trump warns Iran
US President Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Sunday after Tehran signalled it might launch heavy attacks in response to recent US‑led strikes. Trump took to Truth Social, saying he had seen reports that Iran planned to “hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before.”“Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before,” Trump wrote. “THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!”
Air raid sirens sound across Israel
Israel’s military said it was responding to Iranian missile fire, with air raid sirens activated across central Israel and parts of the occupied West Bank.“Sirens were sounded in several areas across the country, following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel,” the military said. “The air force is operating to intercept and strike threats where necessary.”
Explosions reported in gulf cities
Fresh blasts were reported in Dubai, Doha, and Manama as Iran targeted multiple territories in retaliation.Iran’s military reportedly struck Dubai International Airport, the Burj Al Arab, and other high-profile locations. Four people were injured in the airport attack, causing damage inside a passenger terminal.In Iraq, Iran targeted a US base in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said a drone strike hit Bahrain International Airport, causing material damage but no casualties.AFP reporters also heard explosions across Dubai, Doha, and Manama, with thick black smoke seen over Doha after several loud blasts.
US Central Command confirms operations
The head of US Central Command said American forces were engaged in military operations during the first 24 hours of “Operation Epic Fury.”“The President ordered bold action,” Adm. Brad Cooper said.
IRGC carries out sixth wave of attacks
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it was carrying out a sixth wave of attacks in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes.It said it had launched “extensive missile and drone” attacks on Israel and US bases. According to Iranian reports, 27 US bases, Israel’s Tel Nof Airbase, the Israeli army’s command headquarters at HaKirya in Tel Aviv, and a major defence industrial complex were targeted.The IRGC warned it would “implement a different and harsh step of revenge, with successive, regrettable slaps.”
Global reaction remains cautious
The death of Khamenei, who had no designated successor, is expected to increase uncertainty in Iran and raise fears of a wider conflict. The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting.Many countries abstained from commenting directly on US-Israeli strikes but condemned Iran’s retaliation. Some, like Australia and Canada, supported the US, while Russia and China criticized the strikes.The 22-nation Arab League called Iran’s attacks “a blatant violation of the sovereignty of countries that advocate for peace and strive for stability.” Morocco, Jordan, Syria, and the UAE condemned Iranian strikes on US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the Emirates.Despite the violence, some international leaders have urged a resumption of dialogue to avoid further escalation, as tensions continue across the Middle East.
Regional travel chaos
Airspace closures across Israel and parts of the Gulf stranded tens of thousands of travellers.Emirates suspended flights to and from Dubai. Qatar’s airport closed until at least Monday morning. Israeli airspace remains shut.In Bali, more than 1,600 passengers were stranded after Middle East-bound flights were cancelled.
Protests and security alerts
Protesters in Baghdad attempted to approach the heavily fortified Green Zone housing Iraqi government buildings and the US Embassy. The US Embassy in Jordan urged Americans to remain indoors, citing reports of missiles, drones or rockets in Jordanian airspace.
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