Israeli assault rocks Tehran as Iran’s counterattacks widen after the killing of its supreme leader

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Explosions shook Iran’s capital on Sunday as Israel vowed to carry out “non-stop strikes” against Iranian leadership and military targets, while Tehran retaliated with missile and drone attacks across Israel and several Gulf Arab states following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Thick plumes of smoke rose over Tehran after blasts struck areas near the national police headquarters, state television offices, the Revolutionary Court and a Defense Ministry building. The specific targets were not immediately confirmed. In Israel, missile impacts and interceptions were heard across Tel Aviv, with at least six people reported killed in a strike in central Israel, according to emergency officials.

The escalation follows a surprise joint U.S.-Israeli operation that killed Khamenei, marking a dramatic expansion of American involvement in the Middle East under U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump, who campaigned on an “America First” platform and pledged to avoid prolonged foreign conflicts, warned Iran against further retaliation.

“THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT,” Trump wrote on social media. “IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!”

Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, issued a stern warning in a televised address: “You have crossed our red line and must pay the price. We will deliver such devastating blows that you yourselves will be driven to beg.”

Regional Fallout

The widening air war has extended beyond Iran and Israel. Shrapnel from Iranian attacks reportedly killed two people in Abu Dhabi, while debris ignited fires near the iconic Burj Al Arab. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted projectiles targeting Riyadh and its eastern region, stressing that it did not allow its territory to be used to launch attacks against Iran.

Jordan reported intercepting 49 drones and ballistic missiles. Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar also confirmed interceptions. In Iraq, a militant group claimed responsibility for a drone strike near a U.S. air base in Irbil, according to local media.

Flights across parts of the Middle East were disrupted as air defenses activated over major cities, including Dubai.

The conflict has raised concerns over global energy markets, particularly if Iran threatens traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane that carries roughly 20% of the world’s traded oil.

Casualties and Conflicting Reports

Israeli authorities reported at least seven deaths and more than 120 injuries from Iranian barrages. Emergency service Magen David Adom said rescuers were still searching affected areas in central Israel.

In southern Iran, officials reported at least 115 fatalities after a girls’ school was struck, with dozens more wounded. Israeli and U.S. military spokespeople said they were not aware of operations targeting the school and were reviewing the reports.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA said at least 15 people were killed in the southwest, citing local authorities who reported damage to residential areas and public facilities.

An Iranian diplomat told the United Nations Security Council that hundreds of civilians had been killed or wounded in recent strikes.

Leadership Vacuum and Political Uncertainty

As supreme leader, Khamenei wielded ultimate authority over Iran’s political, military and religious institutions, including the powerful Revolutionary Guard. His death creates a leadership vacuum in the Islamic Republic. Iranian authorities swiftly formed a governing council pending the selection of a new supreme leader.

While some eyewitnesses in Tehran reportedDUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Explosions rocked Tehran for a second consecutive day as Israel intensified what it called “non-stop strikes” against Iranian leadership and military infrastructure, while Iran launched fresh waves of missiles and drones targeting Israel and several Gulf states following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Thick plumes of smoke rose over multiple districts of the Iranian capital after strikes reportedly hit areas near the national police headquarters, state television offices, the Revolutionary Court, and a Defense Ministry complex. Iranian authorities have not released a full assessment of the damage, but state media confirmed significant structural destruction in central Tehran.

In Israel, air raid sirens sounded repeatedly across Tel Aviv and central regions as missile interceptions lit up the night sky. Emergency service officials said at least seven people were killed and more than 120 were injured in Iranian barrages, with search operations continuing in heavily affected neighborhoods.

Escalation After Khamenei Killing

The latest violence follows a surprise joint U.S.-Israeli operation that killed Khamenei, marking a dramatic expansion of American involvement in the Middle East under U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump issued a stark warning against further Iranian retaliation, posting on social media: “THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT. IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!”

Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, vowed retaliation in a televised address: “You have crossed our red line and must pay the price. We will deliver such devastating blows that you yourselves will be driven to beg.”

The Iranian government declared 40 days of national mourning and raised a black flag over the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad. Authorities announced the formation of a temporary governing council pending the selection of a new supreme leader by the Assembly of Experts, though no successor has yet been formally named.

Regional Spillover

The conflict has spilled across the Gulf.

Shrapnel from intercepted projectiles reportedly killed two people in Abu Dhabi, and debris ignited fires near the Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted missiles targeting Riyadh and its eastern oil-producing region, emphasizing that it did not permit its territory to be used for attacks on Iran.

Jordan reported intercepting dozens of drones and ballistic missiles. Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar also confirmed defensive actions.

In Iraq, a militia group claimed responsibility for a drone strike near a U.S. air base in Irbil, raising concerns of wider militia involvement aligned with Tehran.

Commercial aviation across parts of the Middle East faced disruptions as airspace closures and emergency protocols affected flights over the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and eastern Saudi Arabia.

Civilian Toll and Conflicting Accounts

In southern Iran, officials reported at least 115 fatalities after a girls’ school was struck during Israeli operations, with dozens more wounded. Israeli and U.S. military officials said they were not aware of strikes targeting a school and were reviewing the reports.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA also reported at least 15 additional deaths in the southwest, citing local authorities who described damage to residential neighborhoods and public facilities.

An Iranian diplomat told the United Nations Security Council that “hundreds of civilians” had been killed or wounded in recent attacks, though independent verification remains limited.

Energy and Global Market Concerns

The escalation has renewed fears over security in the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s traded oil passes. Any disruption could trigger sharp spikes in global energy prices.

Oil markets reacted nervously in early trading, with analysts warning that sustained hostilities or threats to tanker traffic could rattle global supply chains.

Mounting Political Pressure

The operation has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers in Washington, who questioned the lack of explicit congressional authorization. The White House said senior congressional leaders were briefed before the strike.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would continue operations “for as long as necessary” to neutralize threats, while the Israel Defense Forces confirmed expanded targeting of Iranian command and missile infrastructure.

A Region on Edge

Khamenei’s death removes the Islamic Republic’s most powerful authority figure, creating deep political uncertainty inside Iran at a moment of external war. While some eyewitnesses in Tehran reported isolated rooftop celebrations, authorities enforced strict security measures across major cities.

With missile exchanges continuing and regional actors increasingly drawn into the confrontation, diplomats warned that miscalculation could push the Middle East into a broader and more destabilizing conflict. celebratory scenes, including rooftop cheers, the government declared 40 days of public mourning and a weeklong national holiday. A black flag was raised over the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad in tribute.

Citing unnamed sources, the semiofficial Fars news agency reported that several relatives of Khamenei were also killed.

Mounting Global Tensions

The latest escalation comes after months of heightened tensions and a 12-day conflict in June that severely weakened Iran’s air defenses and nuclear infrastructure. U.S. officials say intelligence indicates Iran has developed advanced centrifuge capabilities, despite Tehran’s insistence that its nuclear program is peaceful.

Democratic lawmakers in Washington criticized the administration for acting without congressional authorization, though the White House said key congressional leaders had been briefed in advance.

With missile exchanges widening and regional actors increasingly drawn into the conflict, fears are mounting of a prolonged and destabilizing war that could reshape the Middle East and rattle global markets.