Tehran: Several senior Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, were martyred in what Iranian authorities described as “unprovoked and unwarranted” airstrikes carried out by Israel and the United States.
As large crowds gathered in Tehran following the reports, fresh explosions were heard in different parts of the city. The Israeli military announced it was conducting additional strikes targeting sites in the Iranian capital. Explosions were also reported in Jerusalem, Riyadh, Dubai, Doha and Manama, heightening fears of a wider regional escalation.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian termed the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei a “declaration of war against Muslims,” warning that Iran considered it its legitimate right to respond.
According to Iranian state media, the following senior officials were confirmed martyred in the strikes:
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran
- Ali Shamkhani, Representative of the Supreme Leader in the Supreme Defence Council
- Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces
- Mohammad Pakpour, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
- Aziz Nasirzadeh, Minister of Defence
- Gholamreza Rezaian, Chief of Iran’s Police Intelligence
Iranian media further reported that the daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter of Ayatollah Khamenei were also martyred in the airstrikes.
The developments have significantly escalated tensions in the Middle East, with regional capitals on high alert amid fears of a broader confrontation.