Iran launched retaliatory strikes against the United States and Israel early Sunday, targeting key US military bases in the region and Israeli sites, following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-led operation. The offensive, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” achieved its primary objective with Khamenei’s death in strikes against Tehran, according to multiple reports.
President Donald Trump declared on his Truth Social platform, “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead.” The operation, intended to dismantle the Khamenei-led political establishment, was conducted in coordination with Israel, under the codename “Operation Lion’s Roar,” according to reports.
Several loud explosions were reported in Tehran on Sunday, with Iranian state media confirming the blasts. Israel’s military stated it targeted Iran’s ballistic missile and air defence systems Sunday morning. Fresh explosions were also reported in Dubai, Doha, and Manama as Iran targeted multiple territories in retaliation.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for strikes on a US naval base in Kuwait’s Abdullah Mubarak area, stating four ballistic missiles and 12 drones destroyed infrastructure and caused casualties. The IRGC also reported hitting the MST-class combat support ship in the Indian Ocean with Qadr 380 missiles. Further attacks targeted a US base in Erbil, Iraq, and Bahrain International Airport, causing material damage but no reported casualties.
Beyond Khamenei, Iranian state media reported the deaths of several top military leaders, including Gen. Abdol Rahim Mousavi and Defence Minister Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh, killed in an airstrike during a defence council meeting. Maj Gen Mohammad Pakpour, head of the Revolutionary Guard, and senior security adviser Ali Shamkhani were also reported dead.
An Iranian prosecutor, Ebrahim Taheri, stated 148 people were killed and 95 wounded after a US-Israeli strike hit a girls’ school in Minab county, southern Iran. In response to Khamenei’s death, a constitutional council has been formed to govern Iran, comprising President Masoud Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and a member of the Guardian Council. The Assembly of Experts is expected to appoint a new supreme leader “as soon as possible,” according to Iranian law.
President Pezeshkian denounced Khamenei’s killing as “a great crime” and vowed retaliation, stating, “This great crime will never remain unanswered.” He declared seven days of public holidays in addition to a 40-day mourning period.
Trump issued a warning to Iran on Sunday, responding to signals of heavy retaliatory attacks. “Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!”
Air raid sirens sounded across Israel as the military responded to Iranian missile fire, activating alerts in central Israel and parts of the occupied West Bank. The military stated it was intercepting and striking threats.
The head of US Central Command, Adm. Brad Cooper, confirmed American forces were engaged in military operations during the first 24 hours of “Operation Epic Fury.” The IRGC announced it was carrying out a sixth wave of attacks, claiming to have targeted 27 US bases, Israel’s Tel Nof Airbase, the Israeli army’s command headquarters at HaKirya in Tel Aviv, and a major defence industrial complex. The IRGC warned of further “harsh” revenge.
The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting following the escalation. Global reaction has been cautious, with many countries abstaining from direct comment on the US-Israeli strikes but condemning Iran’s retaliation. Russia and China criticized the strikes, while Australia and Canada expressed support for the US. The 22-nation Arab League condemned Iran’s attacks as a violation of sovereignty.
Airspace closures across Israel and parts of the Gulf have caused widespread travel disruption. Emirates suspended flights to and from Dubai, and Qatar’s airport closed until at least Monday morning. In Bali, over 1,600 passengers were stranded due to flight cancellations. The Ministry of External Affairs in India issued an advisory for foreign nationals affected by the security situation, urging them to contact Foreigners Regional Registration Offices for assistance with visa extensions.
