A major joint military operation launched by the United States and Israel against Iran commenced Saturday, targeting military and government sites, according to President Donald Trump. The strikes followed weeks of escalating regional tensions and threats of conflict, and have triggered retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Iran directed at Israel, regional U.S. Bases, and several Gulf nations.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported Sunday that three U.S. Service members were killed and five were seriously wounded in the attacks, with several others sustaining minor injuries. The fatalities occurred in Kuwait, according to U.S. Officials. CENTCOM stated major combat operations are ongoing and the response effort continues.
Iranian state television confirmed Sunday the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, in the Saturday airstrikes targeting Tehran. Khamenei had consolidated theocratic power in Iran over decades, pursuing a regional influence strategy that brought the nation into direct confrontation with Israel and the United States, particularly regarding its nuclear program. His death occurred alongside a crackdown on domestic democracy protesters.
In response to the U.S.-Israeli operation, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury” by the U.S., Iran launched ballistic missiles and drones. Israel reported nine deaths and 49 injuries following a “missile barrage” on Sunday, including a 10-year-old girl seriously injured in the Beit Shemesh region. Israel’s paramedic service, Magen David Adom, provided medical treatment to casualties.
Israeli forces have responded with further attacks on targets within Tehran, with Prime Minister Netanyahu stating they are “striking the heart of Tehran.” Simultaneously, Iranian strikes have impacted cities in the United Arab Emirates, with thick black smoke rising from a warehouse fire in the industrial area of Sharjah city.
Thousands of Iranian government supporters gathered in the central city of Yazd on Sunday, led by Shiite clerics, to mourn the death of Ayatollah Khamenei. President Trump, in a video statement, called on the Iranian public to “seize control of your destiny” and overthrow the Islamic leadership that has ruled the nation since 1979. He warned Iranian forces to lay down their weapons or “face certain death,” offering “complete immunity” in return for surrender.
The CIA had been tracking Khamenei for months prior to the attack, according to sources. Trump has stated the operation aims to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, vowing to “destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground.”
Iran has vowed to retaliate against both the U.S. And Israel for the strikes. Missile and drone attacks are continuing across the region, targeting Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.
