Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in airstrikes between the United States and Israel, Iranian state media confirmed today. His death came after a joint US-Israeli airstrike that targeted Iranian military and government sites. In Iran, a 40-day state mourning has been declared.
Iran’s chief of staff and defense minister were also killed in an airstrike targeting a meeting of the country’s defense council, Iranian state television reported. General Abdol Rahim Mousavi and Defense Minister General Aziz Nasirzadeh were killed at the meeting along with the head of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and security adviser Ali Shamkhani. Iranian state media today announced the death of military leaders. Iranian state media reported at least 201 dead and more than 700 injured. Reports suggest that around 40 Iranian officials were also killed in the attacks.
In response, Iran launched attacks across West Asia. Apparent Iranian attacks have been reported in Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait, places with US or US-allied military bases. US President Donald Trump, in a social media post, said Khamenei’s death is the greatest opportunity for the Iranian people to take back their country. The President of the United States added that intense and targeted bombing will continue for the week or more. Tensions have soared in recent weeks as US warships entered the region amid stalled nuclear talks.
