Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, was killed on Saturday morning in his Tehran office during a joint US-Israel strike, triggering a dramatic escalation in hostilities across the Middle East. Israel said it was targeting sites “in the heart of Tehran”, while Iran resumed air strikes on several Arab Gulf states, widening the conflict beyond Iranian and Israeli territory. Explosions were reported in Dubai, Doha, Manama and Kuwait City, with drones and missiles striking civilian and military-linked infrastructure. Video footage showed debris scattered across parts of Dubai airport and smoke rising over residential districts in Tehran.
US President Donald Trump described Khamenei as “one of the most evil people in history” and urged Iranians to “take back their country”. He warned Tehran that any severe retaliation would be met with “force never seen before”.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the killing as an “open war against Muslims, especially Shiites, in all corners of the world”. He said Iran considered “bloodshed and revenge against the perpetrators and instigators of this historical crime as its legitimate duty and right”.
Iranian authorities vowed “the most devastating offensive operation” against US bases and Israel in response, as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps signalled it would continue operations despite the loss of senior commanders.
In Israel, two people were killed in retaliatory missile strikes, according to the Israel Defense Forces. Dozens of buildings were damaged, and hundreds of people were treated in hospital, with officials acknowledging that air defence systems were “still not foolproof”.
Across the Gulf, air defence systems intercepted multiple projectiles, though debris caused injuries in some areas. An oil tanker was struck off the coast of Oman, injuring four crew members, while drones targeted port facilities and residential buildings in parts of the region.
Airspace closures rippled across the Middle East, grounding flights in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and forcing international carriers to suspend or reroute services. British and other foreign nationals were advised to shelter in place in several Gulf states.
In Tehran, state media reported that at least 57 people were killed in 60 attacks over 24 hours. Eyewitnesses described powerful explosions that shook homes across the capital. Images showed thick plumes of smoke rising above the city skyline.
Reactions within Iran were sharply divided. While state television presenters tearfully announced Khamenei’s death and supporters gathered in mourning, some residents celebrated. One Tehran resident told BBC Persian the “world has become a better place” after Khamenei’s death.
Internationally, Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned what he called a “cynical murder that violated all norms of human morality and international law”, offering condolences to Tehran. Protests also erupted in Pakistan, where at least nine people were killed in clashes near the US consulate in Karachi.
Security analysts say the killing represents a defining moment for the Islamic Republic. However, Iran’s political system is structured to ensure continuity, with the Assembly of Experts responsible for appointing a successor. The powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is expected to play a decisive role in shaping the transition.
For Gulf monarchies, the widening scope of Iranian strikes marks what one security correspondent described as a “red line” being crossed, with civilian infrastructure increasingly in the line of fire. Regional leaders now face the prospect of prolonged instability and a further breakdown in relations with Tehran.
As Washington and Tel Aviv continue their campaign, and Tehran signals sustained retaliation, the conflict shows signs of deepening. With leadership uncertainty in Iran and mounting civilian casualties across the region, the coming days are likely to prove critical for the Middle East and beyond.
