by Our Correspondent in Doha
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has reportedly died following U.S.-Israel strikes, multiple sources in Iran and Israel indicate, though some reports note that Israeli assessments suggest the planned attacks targeting Khamenei and the Iranian President may not have fully succeeded. Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, has informed several senior officials in Washington that Khamenei has been killed.
In response to the strikes, Iran has launched a series of retaliatory missile attacks, firing approximately 35 missiles toward Israel since this morning, at least five to six of which have impacted their targets.
The wave of military activity has spread across the region, with confirmed strikes reported in Iraq, Iran, Israel, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE, signaling a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict and raising fears of a broader regional confrontation.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiyaa Central Command Headquarters issued a statement:
“As we have announced, in response to the shameless aggression of the United States and the Zionist regime against Islamic Iran, all occupied lands and the bases of the criminal American forces in the region were struck by the crushing blows of Iranian missiles, and this operation will continue relentlessly until the enemy is decisively defeated. Given the aggression of the American army and the Zionist regime against Islamic Iran, in addition to targeting the occupied lands, all American bases, resources, and economic interests throughout the region are considered legitimate targets for the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The heroic and brave nation of Islamic Iran should maintain their calm. The Armed Forces will firmly and resolutely defend the country, the nation, and national interests.”
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defense confirmed that several Iranian missiles targeting the country were successfully intercepted:
“The Ministry of Defense announced that the United Arab Emirates was subjected today to a brazen attack with Iranian ballistic missiles, which the UAE air defenses handled with the highest efficiency, successfully intercepting several of the missiles. The relevant authorities in the country also dealt with the fallout of debris in a residential area in the city of Abu Dhabi, which resulted in some material damage and the death of an individual of Asian nationality. The competent authorities confirm that the security situation in the country is under control, and all concerned parties are monitoring developments around the clock. The Ministry condemned this attack in the strongest terms, affirming the country’s categorical rejection of targeting civilian facilities, installations, and national institutions, emphasizing that such acts represent a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the security and safety of civilians and undermines stability. The Ministry stressed that this targeting constitutes a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law, and that the country reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and take all necessary measures to protect its lands, people, and residents, in a manner that ensures the preservation of its sovereignty, security, and stability, and protects its interests and national capabilities. The Ministry affirmed that it is on high alert and readiness to deal with any threats, and that it is taking all necessary measures to firmly counter everything that targets the disruption of the country’s security and stability, adding that the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors represents an utmost priority that cannot be compromised. The Ministry urges the honorable public to obtain information from official sources in the country and to avoid circulating rumors or unverified information.”
