Iran announces new wave of missile and drone strikes
On Sunday, Iran initiated a fresh series of missile and drone attacks targeting US military bases across the region and Israel, according to Iranian state media. These actions were described as retaliation for the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Targets included 27 US bases throughout the region, as well as Israel’s military headquarters and a defense industries complex located in Tel Aviv, as reported by AFP citing Iranian state television.
Sirens sounded across central Israel and parts of the occupied West Bank on Sunday morning, with the Israeli military confirming it was responding to Iranian missile fire.
Explosions were also reported in several Gulf cities. In Doha, Qatar’s capital, witnesses observed thick black smoke and heard multiple loud blasts. Similar explosions were reported in Dubai and Manama, Bahrain.
Near Erbil airport, which hosts US-led coalition forces in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, loud explosions and thick black smoke were observed.
This escalation followed the confirmation by Iranian state media of Khamenei’s death. On Saturday, Iran responded to US-Israel strikes with a broad attack involving more than six countries.
Former US President Donald Trump issued a warning against retaliatory attacks via a post on Truth Social.
“Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before,” Trump said, adding that if Iran proceeds, it will face a force “that it has never been seen before.”
Thousands gathered in central Tehran to mourn Khamenei, who had led Iran since 1989. Mourners dressed in black carried photos of the late leader and chanted slogans including “death to America” and “death to Israel.”
State media announced that 40 days of public mourning and seven days of public holidays will be observed.
Several loud bangs heard over Dubai - reports
Witnesses reported hearing several loud bangs in the Dubai area for a second consecutive day on Sunday, according to . Iran’s retaliatory strikes have extended to neighboring Gulf states, targeting various locations.
Major shipping companies have suspended navigation through the Gulf due to the evolving security situation in the Middle East.
French shipping company CMA CGM stated it instructed all vessels inside or bound for the Persian Gulf to seek shelter immediately and suspended passage through the Suez Canal until further notice.
Hapag-Lloyd, another major shipping firm, announced suspension of all transit through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice.
Danish company Maersk warned clients of potential delivery delays due to rerouting of ships.
Sirens across central Israel and occupied West Bank
Air raid sirens were activated across central Israel and parts of the occupied West Bank on Sunday. The Israeli military reported it was responding to Iranian missile launches.
A military statement said,
“Sirens were sounded in several areas across the country, following the identification of missiles launched toward the State of Israel. The air force is operating to intercept and strike threats where necessary.”
Loud explosions heard near Erbil airport
Early Sunday, loud explosions were reported near Erbil airport, which hosts US-led coalition troops in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, according to AFP. Thick black smoke was seen rising from the airport area.
On Saturday, US-led coalition forces intercepted several missiles and explosive-laden drones over Erbil.
Details are emerging regarding leadership during the transition period following Khamenei’s death.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and another official from the country’s legal council will form a trio overseeing the transition, according to state television citing Mohammad Mokhber, an advisor to Khamenei.
Last summer, during the 12-day war with Israel, Khamenei named three potential successors in the event of his death. Earlier reports this month indicated Khamenei had appointed individuals to key government and military positions to ensure regime survival amid US-Israeli attacks.
Iran confirms deaths of Guards chief and senior security official
The Iranian judiciary confirmed the deaths of two senior military figures. General Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the Guards, and Ali Shamkhani, head of the national defense council, were killed in Saturday’s attacks, according to the judiciary’s Mizan online news portal.
At least 133 civilians have been killed and 200 injured during the US-Israel conflict with Iran, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
HRANA reported at least 59 incidents across 18 provinces in Iran, describing the situation as a “large-scale, multi-wave operation.” Tehran recorded the highest number of incidents.
Schools and locations associated with children and students were among the damaged sites. Damage was also reported in urban areas and other civilian locations, including residential neighborhoods and workplaces.
Earlier, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations accused Donald Trump of fabricating justifications for military strikes to “manufacture consent for unlawful war.”
Amir-Saeid Iravani told the emergency UN Security Council meeting that Iran has the right to self-defense and that hundreds of civilians have been killed and injured in the US-Israeli operation, calling the strikes a war crime.
"Israel and US have attacked Iran. They have violated international law and the charter of the United Nations. They must be held accountable."
The council consisting of the Iranian president, judiciary head, and a jurist from Council—a 12-member body vetting laws—will temporarily assume leadership duties, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported.
Since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, there has been only one other transfer of power, in 1989 when Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini died.
The supreme leader is appointed by an 88-member clerical panel called the Assembly of Experts. Iranian law requires the Assembly to select a successor “as soon as possible.” Meanwhile, a leadership council can “temporarily assume all the duties of leadership.”
Hundreds of thousands of travelers have been stranded or diverted to other airports after Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain closed their airspace following the escalation.
Flight tracking website FlightRadar24 reported no flight activity over the United Arab Emirates after the government announced a “temporary and partial closure” of its airspace.
This resulted in the closure of major hub airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, with over 1,000 flights canceled by leading Middle Eastern airlines. Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad, which operate at these airports, typically handle about 90,000 passengers daily, with even more traveling to Middle Eastern destinations, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over the US-Israeli strikes against Iran, calling for an immediate ceasefire and urging all parties to avoid escalation and resume dialogue and negotiation.
In a statement on Saturday, the ministry emphasized that Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected.
Iran Guards vow 'most ferocious offensive operation in history' against US bases, Israel
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced on Sunday that they would launch the “most ferocious” operation in history against Israeli and US bases.
The Guards stated in a Telegram post:
“The most ferocious offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s armed forces will begin any moment now.”
Opening summary
Welcome to our live coverage of the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Recent developments include the confirmation by Iranian state media of the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following US and Israeli military actions aimed at regime change. US President Donald Trump earlier announced Khamenei’s death on Truth Social, describing him as “one of the most evil people in history.”
The death was subsequently confirmed by Iranian state media.
These events followed waves of air attacks across Iran. The Iranian Red Crescent reported more than 200 deaths and 747 injuries from daylong attacks spanning 24 provinces.
Witnesses in Tehran told that people celebrated in the streets upon hearing news of the possible death of the supreme leader.
At least 100 people were reportedly killed in a missile strike in Minab, located in southeastern Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously stated there were “many signs” that Khamenei was “no longer alive,” and Israeli officials briefed media that his body had been recovered.
Tehran retaliated with strikes against Israeli and US bases across the Middle East, expanding the conflict to areas previously unaffected by the crisis.
In Israel, one person died and 22 others were injured after an Iranian missile strike hit a building in Tel Aviv. Officials reported that the building caught fire and partially collapsed.
In Dubai, several people were injured following an incident at Dubai International Airport, according to the Dubai media office. The Burj Al Arab and Fairmont hotels caught fire amid Iranian attacks.
The United Arab Emirates stated it intercepted the majority of 137 missiles and 209 drones fired at its territory during the hours following the US and Israeli regime change operations.
At least one person was killed and seven wounded during an “incident” at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport, officials said after Iranian strikes targeting the UAE and Gulf states.
World leaders have urged all parties to de-escalate tensions and return to negotiations. The United Nations issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s retaliatory strikes on neighboring countries, though it stopped short of fully endorsing the US-Israeli attacks.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the UK is involved in coordinated regional defensive operations in the Middle East to protect its people, interests, and allies.
The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Saturday, requested by the permanent missions of France, Bahrain, China, Russia, and Colombia. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep regret that diplomatic opportunities had been missed.
In the United States, Republicans largely welcomed the attacks, though prominent voices expressed varying opinions.
