WASHINGTON DC: Israeli officials and U.S. President Donald Trump have claimed that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been killed amid a widening military confrontation. Iranian authorities have firmly denied the reports, with semi-official media outlets insisting that Khamenei remains “steadfast” and continues to command operations.
In a statement on Saturday, Trump announced that the United States had begun “major combat operations” in Iran. The announcement came shortly after Israel confirmed it had launched missile strikes against targets inside the country, marking a significant escalation in hostilities.
Multiple explosions were reported in Iran’s capital, Tehran, with residents describing heavy blasts that shook several districts. Additional explosions were reported in cities and strategic locations across the country, though the full extent of the damage remains unclear.
Iranian state media reported that a strike on a school in southern Iran killed more than 80 people. Citing the Iranian Red Crescent, media outlets said at least 201 people have been killed across 24 provinces since the fighting intensified. The casualty figures have not been independently verified.
In response to the strikes, Iran has launched retaliatory attacks targeting Israel and U.S. assets across the Middle East. According to regional sources, Iranian forces or allied groups have carried out strikes in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. The scope and effectiveness of these retaliatory actions are still emerging.
The rapidly expanding conflict has prompted several countries in the region to close their airspace as a precautionary measure. Airlines have rerouted or suspended flights, raising concerns over broader regional instability and the potential for further escalation.
The competing narratives surrounding Khamenei’s fate have intensified uncertainty, with global leaders urging restraint. As military operations continue, fears are growing that the confrontation could spiral into a wider regional war with significant humanitarian and economic consequences.
