DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has died following a large-scale attack by Israel and the United States, President Donald Trump announced Saturday. The strike, confirmed by Trump, offers Iranians “their greatest opportunity” to “reclaim their country,” but also raises concerns about the future of the Islamic Republic and the potential for regional instability.
The attacks mark a significant escalation in U.S. Involvement in Iran, representing the second time in eight months that the Trump administration has launched military action against the country amid ongoing discussions regarding its nuclear program. The death of Khamenei, after decades in power, is expected to create a substantial leadership vacuum given the lack of a clear successor and the Supreme Leader’s ultimate authority over all major policies. He oversaw both Iran’s clerical establishment and the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, the two primary centers of power within the ruling theocracy.
In a nationally televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated there were “growing indications” that Khamenei, 86, was killed when Israel struck his compound early Saturday. Shortly after the address, two Israeli officials confirmed his death, speaking on the condition of anonymity pending a formal announcement and providing no further details.
As reports of Khamenei’s death circulated, witnesses in Tehran told the AP that some residents expressed joy, whistling and shouting in celebration.
The attacks follow months of escalating tensions
The joint U.S.-Israel operation, reportedly planned over several months, occurred during the holy month of Ramadan and at the start of the Iranian workweek.
As the attack on Iran unfolded, Trump urged the Iranian public to “capture control of their destiny” by rising up against the Islamic leadership. In a video announcing “major combat operations,” Trump told Iranians that “when we are done, take back your government. It will be yours to carry. This will probably be your only chance in generations.”
An Iranian diplomat told the United Nations Security Council that hundreds of civilians were killed and injured in the attacks.
Iranian state media reported at least 201 people were killed and over 700 wounded, citing the Iranian Red Crescent. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and U.S. Military bases in the region, with exchanges of fire continuing into the night.
Twelve hours after the attacks began, the U.S. Military reported no American casualties and minimal damage to U.S. Bases despite “hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks.” Targets in Iran included command facilities of the Revolutionary Guard, air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and military airfields.
Several members of Iran’s governing body were reportedly targeted in the attack. Israel stated it killed a commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the country’s defense minister. The Israeli military also claimed its strikes resulted in the death of the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, a close advisor to Khamenei.
Initial attacks against Iran reportedly struck near Khamenei’s offices, making him the second leader of the Islamic Republic to succeed Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Prior to Israeli officials confirming the death, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that the Ayatollah and President Masoud Pezeshkian were alive “to the best of my knowledge,” and described the attack as “unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate.”
Democrats criticized Trump for acting without congressional authorization. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the administration had informed several Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress in advance of the attack.
Failed nuclear talks
Tensions had been rising in recent weeks as U.S. Warships moved to the region. Trump stated he sought an agreement restricting Iran’s nuclear program, at a time when the country faces growing discontent following a wave of nationwide protests.
The immediate trigger for Saturday’s attacks appeared to be the recent round of failed nuclear negotiations held Thursday. The strikes also reflect the dramatic shifts that have left Iran’s governing body in its weakest position since the Islamic Revolution nearly half a century ago.
Although Trump claimed last year that Iran’s nuclear program had been “annihilated” in previous attacks, the country was rebuilding infrastructure it had lost, and intelligence indicated Iran had developed the ability to produce its own high-quality centrifuges, a key step in developing highly enriched uranium for weapons. This assessment came from a senior U.S. Official who spoke to reporters on background to discuss Trump’s decision-making process.
The Israeli and U.S. Attacks in June significantly weakened Iran’s air defenses, military leadership, and nuclear program. A regional war, sparked by the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, has left Iran’s network of allies across the Middle East severely weakened. Meanwhile, U.S. Sanctions and global isolation have decimated the Iranian economy.
Iran responded to the recent attacks by launching missiles and drones against Israel, as well as attacks on U.S. Military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. The Israeli military said Iran fired “dozens” of missiles at Israel, many of which were intercepted. Magen David Adom emergency services reported 89 people sustained “minor injuries.”
At least three explosions were heard Saturday night near the building housing the Intelligence Ministry in northern Tehran, witnesses said, adding that air defense systems had begun operating. The Israeli military stated it had launched a fresh wave of attacks against missile launchers and air defense systems in central Iran.
In southern Iran, at least 85 people were reported killed after a girls’ school was struck, with dozens more injured, the local governor told state television.
Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command, said they were “aware of the reports” of a girls’ school being hit and were investigating.
Iran’s state news agency, IRNA, reported at least 15 people were killed in the southwest, citing Lamerd Governor Ali Alizadeh, who said a sports hall, two residential areas, and a salon near a school were hit.
Flights across the Middle East were disrupted, and air defense fire echoed over Dubai, the commercial capital of the United Arab Emirates. Shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack in the UAE capital reportedly killed one person, according to state media.
Coordinated strike between Israel and U.S.
Israel stated the operation had been planned for months with the United States. Air Force pilots were attacking “hundreds of targets throughout Iran,” according to a statement from Israeli Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir.
Targets of the Israeli campaign included the Iranian military, symbols of the government, and intelligence objectives, according to an official familiar with the operation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss non-public information about the attack.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled his trip to Israel, scheduled for early next week, a State Department official said.
In justifying the military action, Trump asserted that Iran continued to develop its nuclear program, despite claiming last year that the program had been “annihilated” by a previous round of attacks.
He acknowledged Saturday that there could be American casualties, noting that “that’s what happens in war.” It was a notable appeal to the American public from a leader who rose to power on the “America First” mantra and promised to stay out of “endless wars.”
Trump also indicated he sought to “annihilate” the Iranian navy and destroy Tehran-backed regional allies. He urged the Iranian paramilitary Revolutionary Guard to lay down its arms, saying its members would receive immunity or face “certain death” if they did not.
Iran has previously stated it hopes to avoid war but maintains its right to enrich uranium. It has been unwilling to address other issues, such as its long-range missile program or its support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
Iran has said it has not been enriching uranium since June, but has blocked international inspectors from visiting sites that the United States bombed. Satellite images analyzed by the Associated Press have shown new activity at two of those sites, suggesting Tehran is attempting to assess and potentially recover material there.
Trump had threatened military action — but held back — following the recent crackdown on protests fueled by economic hardship, which spiraled into nationwide anti-government demonstrations.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency says it has confirmed more than 7,000 deaths in that crackdown and is investigating thousands more. The Iranian theocracy has acknowledged more than 3,000 deaths.
Regional effects
The attacks could have a significant impact on global markets, particularly if the security of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial traffic is jeopardized. A third of the world’s seaborne oil exports passed through the strait in 2025.
Saudi Arabia said Iran had attacked its capital and eastern region in an attack that was repelled. Bahrain stated a missile attack targeted the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet in the island kingdom, and three buildings were damaged in Manama, the capital, and in the city of Muharraq by drone attacks and shrapnel from an intercepted missile.
Kuwait’s civil aviation authority said a drone targeted its main international airport, injuring several employees. The Kuwait News Agency reported three soldiers were injured by shrapnel from attacks that hit the Ali Al-Salem Air Base. Explosions were also heard in Qatar. Jordan said it “dealt with” 49 drones and ballistic missiles.
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Lidman reported from Tel Aviv. Boak reported from West Palm Beach, Florida. Tucker reported from Washington. Associated Press journalists Joe Federman in Jerusalem, Aamer Madhani and Konstantin Toropin in Washington, Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Farnoush Amiri in New York, and AP journalists worldwide contributed to this dispatch.
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This story was translated from English by an AP editor with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence tools.
