US and Israeli forces killed Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, on Saturday, hours after an airstrike on a girls’ elementary school in the southern city of Minab left 108 pupils dead.

The attack also claimed the lives of Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. Iran’s semi-official through the Supreme Leader’s household.

“After establishing contact with informed sources in the supreme leader’s household, the news of the martyrdom of the daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter of the revolutionary leader has unfortunately been confirmed,” reported the agency.

The assassination took place during a large-scale US-Israeli air campaign that began in the early hours of Saturday, with coordinated strikes reported in over 20 Iranian cities. In response, Tehran acted quickly, prompting a wave of international condemnation and raising concerns that the conflict could escalate into a broader regional war.

Iranian media outlets have reported severe civilian casualties stemming from the initial wave of military attacks, with a particularly devastating impact observed in Minab. According to a report from the Mizan News Agency, which cites information from the Minab Prosecutor’s Office, a targeted strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school has tragically resulted in the deaths of 108 students. This attack has prompted Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations to characterize the assault as a deliberate targeting of civilians, during an emergency session of the Security Council convened to address the escalating violence.

In addition to the devastation in Minab, further casualties have been reported in Lamerd, a city in Fars province. The Mehr News Agency indicated that more than 15 civilians lost their lives and many others sustained injuries when four residential neighborhoods were hit during the bombardment. The governor of Lamerd issued a grim warning that the death toll could continue to rise as rescue operations proceed and emergency teams work to locate survivors among the rubble. The community remains in shock and mourning as the situation unfolds, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and protection for civilians in conflict zones.

The Iranian Red Crescent has reported a series of attacks that commenced early this morning, impacting multiple cities across the country. Mojtaba Khaledi, the organization’s spokesperson, informed Mehr that emergency response teams are actively deployed throughout the affected regions. To ensure the safety and effectiveness of rescue operations, he advised residents to avoid areas impacted by the attacks.

In response to these developments, officials from both Washington and Tel Aviv have characterized the strikes as preemptive actions aimed at addressing concerns regarding threats perceived to emanate from the Iranian government. In separate video addresses, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump expressed their endorsement of the operation, underscoring their apprehensions regarding Iran’s nuclear aspirations and its activities within the region. However, they did not provide definitive evidence of an imminent threat.

In contrast, Tehran has categorically condemned the attacks, labelling them a violation of its sovereignty and a breach of international law, as stipulated in Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter. Iranian officials have reiterated their commitment to exercising their right to self-defence in light of this challenging situation.

Iran accuses US and Israel of war crimes

During an address to the UN Security Council, Iran’s ambassador, Amir-Saeid Iravani, described recent strikes as “illegal and entirely devoid of legal foundation,” accusing the US and Israel of “deliberate and persistent targeting” of civilian infrastructure. “This is not only an act of aggression; it is a war crime and a crime against humanity,” he stated, referring to the attack on the Minab school.

Israeli media reported that retaliatory strikes by Iran on Tel Aviv resulted in one death and at least 20 injuries, with one individual in critical condition. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the escalation of hostilities posed a “grave threat to international peace and security,” adding that “military action carries the risk of igniting a chain of events that no one can control in the most volatile region in the world.”

Separately, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to housing, Balakrishnan Rajagopal, condemned the strikes, accusing the US and Israel of “destroying world peace and order” as tensions mounted. On the social media platform X, he expressed, “I strongly deplore the attack on Iran by the US and Israel and the cowardly complicity of states that approve this or remain silent. Many innocents will die, and homes will be destroyed because of this. The US and Israel are destroying world peace and order.”

International reactions to these events were divided. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim referred to the strikes as a dangerous escalation and called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to prevent regional destabilization. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the operation as a “catastrophic escalation” in an illegal war of aggression.

In contrast, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed support for the US and Israel, emphasising that Iran “must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.” However, he provided no evidence of an ongoing nuclear program. While Starmer condemned Iran’s retaliatory strikes on US military bases, he refrained from criticizing the initial US-Israeli assault, noting that British forces were involved in coordinated defensive operations: “Our forces are active, and British planes are in the sky today as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests, and our allies — as Britain has done before, in line with international law,” he stated.

The E3 powers—France, Germany, and the United Kingdom—issued a joint statement reiterating their demands for Iran to curb its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and to halt destabilizing regional activities, without mentioning Israel’s undeclared nuclear arsenal or its recent operations.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese supported US actions aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. UN Special Rapporteur Ben Saul cautioned that such preemptive military actions without explicit Security Council authorization may violate the UN Charter. South Korea and Japan expressed concern over the situation, urging for de-escalation and highlighting the risks to global energy security. Bangladesh called for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, stressing the need for maximum restraint and diplomatic engagement.

Meanwhile, Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, a leading religious figure of Twelver Shia Muslims based in Najaf, Iraq, condemned the assassination of Khamenei. “With deep sorrow, I offer my condolences to the noble people of Iran and all Muslims worldwide on the martyrdom of the esteemed Leader of the Islamic Republic, Grand Ayatollah Mr. Khamenei (may Allah be pleased with him). The exalted position of this great man and his unique role in guiding the Islamic Republic system over many years is clear to all. Undoubtedly, the enemies, by martyring him and launching widespread military aggression against the country, aim to harm dear Iran. It is expected that the great nation of this land will, in these difficult and sensitive circumstances, maintain unity and national cohesion and not allow the aggressors to achieve their evil goals. I ask Almighty God to grant the deceased the highest ranks and divine pleasure, and to provide patience and great reward to all those who mourn.”

Israeli airstrikes continue in Lebanon, Gaza and Syria despite ceasefire agreements

Israeli military operations have persisted across Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria, even in the face of ceasefire agreements and de-escalation measures aimed at stopping the violence. Regional tensions are notably high, especially with concerns about a potential broader confrontation involving Iran and the United States.

Although ceasefires have been formally established in both Lebanon and Gaza, reports of violations and ongoing strikes have intensified instability, resulting in civilians throughout the region suffering the consequences of the renewed hostilities.

Lebanon: Syrian teenager killed, 29 injured by Israeli attacks

A 17-year-old Syrian teenager was killed, and at least 29 others were injured on Thursday following Israeli airstrikes in eastern Lebanon, despite a ceasefire agreement that has been in place since November 2024.

Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported that Hussein Mohsen al-Khalaf was killed in a strike that targeted the Beit Mshik farms area near Kfar Dan in western Baalbek. Israeli warplanes conducted at least 13 airstrikes across the western Baalbek region, including locations such as Shmestar, Boudai, Harbata, Hermel, and the Nabi Chit mountains. Witnesses reported that fighter jets were flying at low altitude, and several shops in the Baalbek Souk were damaged. The Israeli military claimed…imed that the strikes targeted infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah’s “Radwan Force.”

In southern Lebanon, an Israeli drone fired a guided missile at a wooded area near Nabatieh al-Fawqa, prompting ambulances to be dispatched to the scene. Concurrently, the Lebanese army has been reinforcing its defensive positions in the Marjayoun district, particularly in Sarda, where troops have installed fencing and raised earth mounds in areas frequently targeted by Israeli incursions.

Tensions along the border escalated earlier this week when Lebanese forces reported being fired upon by Israeli troops near a newly established observation point. Israel characterized the gunfire as “warning shots.”

Since the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in November 2024, more than 300 people, including 127 civilians, have reportedly been killed by Israeli actions in Lebanon, according to United Nations figures. Israel continues to occupy five strategic hilltops that were seized during the latest conflict.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has cautioned against dragging Lebanon into “a new war,” emphasizing that the country has already endured devastating conflicts and ongoing Israeli attacks. His comments came after Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem stated that the group would not remain neutral if Iran were attacked by the United States or Israel.

Additionally, Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi urged Hezbollah to avoid involvement in any potential regional escalation, warning that participation in a US-Iran conflict could expose Lebanon’s infrastructure to further Israeli strikes.

Palestine: Ongoing Israeli Attacks on Gaza and the West Bank Despite October 2025 Ceasefire

Israel continues to carry out attacks on Gaza and the West Bank, despite a ceasefire that went into effect on October 10, 2025. On Thursday, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed two Palestinian civilians and injured dozens near Al-Mahatta Park in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood, northeast of Gaza City.

Since the ceasefire began, Palestinian health authorities report that 618 Palestinians have been killed, and 1,663 have been injured. Additionally, 726 bodies have reportedly been recovered during this period.

Since October 2023, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 72,000 Palestinians, primarily women and children, and has injured more than 171,000 others, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Earlier on Wednesday, two Palestinians were killed in separate Israeli attacks in Deir al-Balah and al-Mawasi, near Khan Younis. Further shelling and live fire incidents were reported across northern and central Gaza, including areas near the Jabalia refugee camp and the Zeitoun neighborhood.

In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces conducted a raid on Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, surrounding a home during a pre-dawn operation that involved undercover agents, military reinforcements, drones, and heavy gunfire. At least one Palestinian was arrested during this operation. Across the West Bank, Israeli forces detained 18 Palestinians in various raids. Since October 2023, Palestinian sources report that at least 1,117 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, with approximately 22,000 arrests made.

Moreover, incidents of violence from illegal Israeli settlers persist. Palestinian-owned agricultural structures were set ablaze in the Ash-Shamis area northeast of Jerusalem. Rights groups indicate that such attacks—consisting of arson, vandalism, and assaults—are rarely prosecuted.

Syria: Israeli incursions despite de-escalation mechanism

Dozens of Israeli military vehicles reportedly entered Quneitra province in southern Syria on Wednesday evening, specifically advancing into the Tal al-Ahmar area near Ain Zivan village. According to Syrian media, around 30 Israeli military vehicles were involved in this incursion, and illumination flares were fired over the area.

Earlier that day, Israeli forces reportedly detained a shepherd and confiscated livestock. These operations occur despite a U.S.-supervised contact mechanism established on January 6, which aims to reduce military escalation between Syria and Israel.

Damascus has reaffirmed its commitment to the 1974 disengagement agreement, while Israel contends that the accord is no longer valid following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024. Syrian officials argue that the repeated incursions—along with detentions, checkpoints, and damage to farmland—undermine efforts to stabilize the country and rebuild its economy.