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Coordinated strikes hit Iran; Supreme Leader confirmed dead
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a targeted strike on his Tehran office early Saturday, Iranian state media confirmed. The attack, attributed to the United States and Israel, struck multiple locations across Iran, including military sites and residential areas.
Key targets and damage in Tehran
Satellite imagery obtained by BBC Verify shows extensive damage to the Leadership House compound in Tehran, where Khamenei's office is located. The high-resolution images, captured by Airbus, reveal blackened structures, debris, and smoke rising from the site. The location aligns with verified footage of explosions in the capital.
Other strikes hit the Narmak neighborhood, home to former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and areas near Iran's Ministry of Intelligence. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated their operations targeted gatherings of senior political and security officials.
Casualties and strikes beyond Tehran
At least 85 people were killed in Minab, a city in southern Iran, after a girls' school was struck by three missiles, according to Iranian state media. The BBC has not independently verified this report due to restrictions on international journalists in Iran.
Military sites in Kermanshah, Qom, Isfahan, Tabriz, and Karaj were also hit, along with naval facilities in Kenarak. Footage from Kamyaran shows an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) base destroyed by bombing. The IDF issued warnings to Iranian civilians to evacuate areas near military installations ahead of the strikes.
Iran retaliates with regional strikes
Iran launched counterattacks on Israel and U.S. bases across the Middle East. Explosions were reported in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait. The UAE's state news agency confirmed one fatality after Iranian missiles were intercepted.
Bahrain's National Communication Centre reported that the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet service center was hit by a missile attack. Verified footage from Bahrain shows a missile strike and subsequent explosions, along with smoke rising over the city.
Kuwait's Ministry of Defence announced that its air defenses intercepted ballistic missiles targeting the Ali Al-Salem airbase. Jordan, which borders Israel, stated its forces shot down two missiles aimed at its territory, causing only material damage.
Regional escalation raises global concerns
The coordinated strikes mark a significant escalation in tensions between Iran and Western-backed allies. The IDF's warnings and Iran's retaliatory actions suggest further conflict could unfold in the coming hours. International observers are closely monitoring the situation for potential broader implications.
