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After more than 40 years as Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in coordinated US and Israeli airstrikes on Saturday morning, along with several senior military officials, including top commanders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Khamenei, who became supreme leader in 1989 following the death of revolutionary founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, had previously served as Iran’s president. His tenure was marked by both domestic upheavals—including protests over election rigging, economic hardship, and human rights abuses—and the country’s survival under international sanctions and war with Iraq in the 1980s. According to US media reports, the CIA had been tracking Khamenei’s movements for months and shared critical intelligence with Israel, identifying a Saturday morning meeting in Tehran that included the supreme leader and top military officials. While it is unclear whether the US intercepted communications, used satellite imagery, or human intelligence to pinpoint the location, Israel had reportedly been monitoring Khamenei’s routines for years, reports Al Jazeera. Israeli jets took off around 6:00 am local time and struck Khamenei’s compound near central Tehran at about 9:40 am. Simultaneously, US Cyber Command disrupted Iran’s communications and surveillance capabilities. The attacks reportedly killed Khamenei and at least a dozen senior defense officials, including the IRGC commander Mohammad Pakpour and Defense Minister Azis Nasirzadeh, while targeting several other locations across the country. The strikes have triggered massive casualties: the Iranian Red Crescent confirmed at least 787 deaths, including 165 schoolgirls and staff in a strike on a school in Minab city. Joint US-Israeli attacks have also hit hospitals and residential areas, while Iran has retaliated by striking Israeli and US military assets in the Gulf region. In the wake of Khamenei’s assassination, Iran announced a temporary leadership council comprising President Masoud Pezeshkian, Supreme Court Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and Guardian Council member Ayatollah Alireza Arafi. US officials have portrayed the operation as necessary to weaken Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. President Donald Trump praised the intelligence collaboration with Israel, stating the late leader “was unable to avoid our intelligence and highly sophisticated tracking systems.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes will continue until US objectives for “peace in the Middle East” are met.  

Iran has threatened to target “all economic centres” in the Middle East if attacks by the United States and Israel persist, according to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) General Ebrahim Jabbari.“We are saying to the enemy that if it decides to hit our main centres, we will hit all economic centres in the region,” Jabbari said. He added that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed, pushing oil prices above $80 per barrel, with expectations they could reach $200, reports Al Jazeera. The narrow strait is a critical chokepoint, handling roughly one-fifth of global oil trade and significant liquefied natural gas exports from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, Farah Pahlavi, widow of Iran’s last shah, said the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is “historically significant” but will not automatically topple the Iranian system. She emphasized that the country’s future depends on “the ability of the Iranian people to unite around a peaceful, orderly and sovereign transition to a state governed by the rule of law,” noting that her son Reza Pahlavi is preparing for such a transition. Analysts say the US-Israeli strikes have weakened Iran’s regional network of proxy armed groups, long used against Israel. Groups including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Yemeni Houthis, and Iraqi militias are reportedly “trying to understand how to survive” in the wake of recent conflicts. Renad Mansour, a senior research fellow at Chatham House, noted that many of these groups now lack the capacity to inflict significant damage and are increasingly integrated into state structures, particularly in Iraq. In Yemen, the Houthis have remained on the sidelines, taking a cautious approach amid the regional escalation. Ahmed Nagi, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, said the axis of Iranian-aligned proxies faces an existential threat but is not necessarily on the verge of collapse. The escalating conflict continues to threaten global energy markets and regional stability, with potential repercussions far beyond the immediate battlegrounds.  

Israel sent troops into southern Lebanon on Tuesday and warned residents of more than 80 villages to evacuate, as the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia declared it is ready for an “open war” following the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran. The escalation followed Hezbollah’s rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel early Monday. Israel responded with airstrikes that killed 40 people in Lebanon, including a Palestinian militant and a Hezbollah intelligence official in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The figure is a revised count from an earlier report of 52 deaths. Lebanese authorities also reported 246 people wounded and tens of thousands displaced. Hezbollah confirmed it launched two rocket salvos toward northern Israel on Tuesday morning, while Israeli strikes damaged a building housing Hezbollah’s TV and radio stations in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The Israeli military said it specifically targeted Hezbollah officials during these operations. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee warned residents of more than 80 southern Lebanese villages not to return until further notice. “The troops’ movements inside Lebanon are aimed at bolstering Israel's forward defense system and adding a layer of security,” he said. A senior Hezbollah official, Mohamoud Komati, said the group had exhausted its patience after abiding by a ceasefire for more than a year. “The Zionist enemy wanted an open war, which it has not stopped since the ceasefire agreement. So let it be an open war,” he said. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun informed ambassadors from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the U.S., France, and Egypt that Hezbollah has been firing rockets from areas north of the Litani River. The Lebanese army is reportedly repositioning along the border as Israeli troops take new positions on strategic points in southern Lebanon. The U.N. peacekeeping force UNIFIL confirmed that its peacekeepers observed Israeli troops crossing the border and returning, though it was unclear how many remained inside Lebanon. The conflict traces back to the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel and subsequent escalations in Gaza, culminating in Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon in September 2024. Israeli forces withdrew from most of southern Lebanon after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in November 2024 but continued occupying five border points and conducting near-daily strikes. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that 397 people were killed in Israeli strikes after the ceasefire and before Hezbollah’s latest attacks.  

A mass funeral for victims of a deadly attack on a girls’ school brought thousands of mourners together in southern Iran, as Israel’s prime minister said his country would continue striking Iran “with force.” At least 165 people, including dozens of children, were killed in the attack, which Iranian authorities have blamed on either Israel or the United States. The ceremony in Minab drew people from all walks of life, reflecting the depth of shock and grief across the country. Residents described the school tragedy as an “open wound,” saying even those critical of the government were deeply shaken and speaking out about the incident. Iran death toll hits 787 as Israeli, US strikes intensify The Iranian government has highlighted the attack, calling it extremely painful for the nation and noting it has been widely condemned. President Masoud Pezeshkian said there was “no reason whatsoever” for any country to suffer in such a way, especially children. He argued that the attack showed it was not merely a campaign against military and strategic sites but a broader war on the Iranian people. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was continuing to strike Iran. Speaking at an air force base in central Israel, he said Israeli pilots were operating over Iran, including Tehran, and over Lebanon. Who leads Iran after Khamenei’s death? “We continue to strike Iran with force,” Netanyahu said in a statement from his office. He also warned Lebanon’s Hezbollah group, saying it had made a “very big mistake” by attacking Israel. “We have already responded forcefully, and we will respond with even greater force,” he added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is relying on a strong U.S.-Israel partnership to pursue a war against Iran, a gamble that could either solidify ties with Washington or expose them to strain if the conflict drags on. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, has long built his foreign policy on two pillars: an unwavering alliance with the United States and a determined campaign against Iran. By persuading U.S. President Donald Trump to join the strikes, he has achieved a major diplomatic victory. Trump’s support has allowed Israel to target Iranian leaders and military infrastructure in what Netanyahu calls an “existential battle” against Tehran. But analysts warn that prolonged conflict could test U.S. public opinion. “A large part of the American public will view it as the Israeli tail wagging the American dog and that it is dragging the United States to a war in the Middle East that isn’t theirs,” said Ofer Shelah, a research fellow at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies. He added that Netanyahu is focused on short-term political gains rather than long-term consequences. Recent years have seen U.S. public support for Israel decline, particularly among Democrats, while some Republicans have also voiced concerns over financial and military backing during Israel’s war on multiple fronts, including the 2023 Gaza conflict. Images from past battles have deepened Israel’s diplomatic isolation. Netanyahu faces a high-stakes decision: confront what he views as an existential Iranian threat, including its nuclear program and support for anti-Israeli militias, while keeping U.S. backing intact. “The U.S. involvement allows us to do what I have been hoping to do for 40 years — to deliver a crushing blow to the terror regime,” Netanyahu said in a recent statement. The war has already triggered regional disruption. U.S. forces have suffered casualties, global travel has been disrupted, and oil prices have surged, with potential economic repercussions for American consumers. Questions persist over whether airstrikes alone can topple Iran’s leadership, and what political or military outcome should follow. Analysts say the stakes for Netanyahu are partly domestic. With elections approaching this fall, the war could shift attention from past security failures and bolster his image as a decisive wartime leader. Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. Middle East adviser, noted, “If Trump feels as if it’s going south, he’ll find a way to de-escalate, and his good friend Benjamin Netanyahu will follow.” Still, the Israeli leader must balance military ambitions with the risk of losing crucial American support, which experts warn could have far-reaching political and diplomatic consequences.  

Tens of thousands of people, including tourists, diplomats’ family members, and religious pilgrims, remain stranded across the Middle East as the conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel intensifies. Major airlines have canceled flights to and from the region, while airspace across the Gulf remains closed. Some travelers are sheltering amid airstrikes, while others are stuck on cruise ships unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. State Department urged Americans to leave more than a dozen countries in the Middle East due to escalating risks. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar urged citizens in Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel to “DEPART NOW” using any available commercial transport. The U.S. has evacuated non-emergency personnel and families from six nations, adding the United Arab Emirates to its list Tuesday. Americans in Israel were advised to leave via Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, as Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv remains closed. Embassy staff in Israel are sheltering in place while assisting evacuation requests. Governments worldwide are mobilizing to repatriate their citizens. Italy helped Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and his family return from Dubai after criticism for traveling during the crisis. Germany is organizing charter flights to bring home roughly 30,000 tourists stranded on cruise ships, in hotels, or at airports. France is facilitating the return of an estimated 25,000 French citizens visiting the region, among 200,000 living there. Some travelers have begun reaching home safely. Romanian Orthodox pilgrims stranded in Israel returned to Bucharest on Tuesday after cutting short a trip to Bethlehem. Mariana Muicaru, a pilgrim, described the fear: “We called our children at 3 a.m. to ask forgiveness because we might die and to tell them we love them.” British tourists trapped in the UAE also arrived safely in London, while another flight from Dubai landed in Belgrade with roughly 200 passengers. Passengers said they received urgent alerts to move away from windows due to potential missile attacks. The disruptions highlight the broader chaos caused by the Iran war, which has severely impacted air travel, shipping, and regional safety. With airports closed and maritime routes blocked, thousands remain in limbo, waiting for flights or safe passage out of the conflict zone. Officials continue to coordinate with airlines, foreign governments, and local authorities to expedite evacuations and ensure the safety of stranded travelers as the situation in the Middle East remains volatile.

A senior Iranian military advisor on Monday warned that Iran’s armed forces will prevent any oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz. Ebrahim Jabbari, an advisor to the chief commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), made the remarks in an interview with state-run IRIB TV, saying the country’s forces would act against any oil tankers attempting to pass through the strait. Iran death toll hits 787 as Israeli, US strikes intensify He asserted that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed and that the naval forces of the IRGC and the Iranian army will set on fire any ship trying to transit the waterway. Jabbari also said Iran would target oil pipelines in the region, emphasizing, “we will not let oil be exported from the region.” He further stated that the United States relies heavily on oil from West Asia and warned that “not a single drop of oil will be supplied to them.”

The death toll from ongoing Israeli and US strikes on Iran has surged to 787, as attacks continue across multiple fronts, including a strike targeting Iran’s state broadcaster. Israeli forces have also stepped up air raids in Lebanon and launched a fresh ground incursion into the country’s southern region, further widening the conflict. In Saudi Arabia, authorities reported that two drones struck the United States Embassy in Riyadh, sparking a small fire and causing minor structural damage. Who leads Iran after Khamenei’s death? A senior official of Hezbollah said the latest wave of attacks leaves the group with “no option but to return to resistance.” Mahmoud Qmati declared that Israel had sought an open war and would now face one, adding that “the era of patience has ended.” Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that a missile equipped with a fragmentation warhead struck Petah Tikva in central Israel. According to Channel 12, the projectile hit the city, while The Times of Israel said fragments from an Iranian missile caused damage in the area. No injuries were immediately reported. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned what it described as a “treacherous” Iranian attack on the US embassy in Riyadh. In a statement, the ministry reaffirmed the kingdom’s right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its security and interests, including responding to acts of aggression. Source: Al Jazeera

Following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran has formed a three-member transitional council to manage state affairs. Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, a member of the country’s powerful constitutional watchdog, was appointed on Sunday to the interim council, which also includes President Masoud Pezeshkian and Supreme Court Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei. Under Article 111 of Iran’s constitution, the council will govern until the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member body, selects a new supreme leader. Khamenei’s nearly 37-year rule ended Saturday following a deadly U.S.-Israeli attack, reports Al Jazeera . The constitution mandates that the Assembly of Experts appoint a successor “as soon as possible” while the transitional council oversees the government.

A magnitude-4.3 earthquake struck the Gerash region in southern Iran on Tuesday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said, in a shallow seismic event that was felt locally. According to the USGS, the tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) beneath the Earth’s surface.   With inputs from ALJAZEERA