Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei Reported Dead After US-Israel Strikes
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly been killed in a series of coordinated military strikes launched by the United States and Israel, according to multiple sources. The attacks have triggered widespread explosions across Tehran and other major cities in the Middle East, including Dubai, Kuwait, and Bahrain, leading to significant casualties and regional instability.
Details of the Strikes and Regional Impact
Israel's defence minister confirmed that the nation executed a preventative attack against Iran, with the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) stating it conducted the largest ever military flyover in its history, involving hundreds of fighter jets targeting approximately 500 sites in western and central Iran. The United States, under former President Donald Trump, acknowledged participation in these operations, describing them as major combat operations aimed at degrading Iran's offensive capabilities.
In response, Iran retaliated with strikes on Israel and US military targets across the region. Reports indicate that a suspected Iranian suicide drone struck a high-rise building in Bahrain, causing a massive fireball, while drone attacks targeted Kuwait International Airport, resulting in injuries. In Dubai, an incident at the Fairmont Hotel on Palm Jumeirah led to a fire and four injuries, with authorities securing the area.
Conflicting Reports on Khamenei's Fate
Initial reports from Iranian state media suggested that Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian were safe and sound, but later accounts from Israeli media and international outlets claimed the Supreme Leader's body was found in rubble after his official residence in Tehran was hit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly confirmed Khamenei's death, encouraging Iranians to take to the streets and overthrow the regime. However, Iranian officials have not provided official confirmation, with the foreign ministry spokesperson stating they may have lost one or two commanders but could not verify leadership casualties.
Casualties and Escalating Tensions
The strikes have resulted in numerous casualties, including reports of at least 51 schoolgirls dead and 60 injured after a strike on a school in Iran. Additionally, Iran's defence minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have perished in the attacks. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported potential closures of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route, amid the escalating conflict.
International Response and Diplomatic Efforts
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer addressed the situation, stating that UK planes are in the sky as part of defensive operations in the Middle East, although the UK played no role in the initial strikes. He condemned Iran's regime for its regional destabilization and called for de-escalation. The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting, with Russia and China urging an end to illegal and escalatory actions. The Foreign Office has advised British nationals in several Middle Eastern countries to remain indoors due to missile activity.
As celebrations were reported in some Tehran neighbourhoods, the overall situation remains fluid, with ongoing strikes and retaliatory actions threatening to further inflame the region. The international community watches closely, emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions to prevent a full-scale war.
