Iran targets strategic sites across region, as US and Israel launch fresh wave of strikes

Israel launched additional strikes on Iran on Sunday following the high-profile killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in combined US and Israeli attacks. The strikes, confirmed by Iranian state media, have plunged the region into uncertainty and raised fears of broader Middle East instability.

Khamenei, 86, was killed in what officials described as the most significant coordinated attacks on Iran in decades. US President Donald Trump defended the strikes as necessary to neutralise a longstanding nuclear threat and punish Iran for past aggressions. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump framed the action as justice for both Americans and victims worldwide affected by Khamenei’s regime.

Analysts note that while the death of Khamenei and several senior leaders represents a severe setback for Iran, it is unlikely to dismantle the country’s clerical authority or the influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Israel’s military reported targeting Iran’s ballistic missile and air defense systems in Sunday’s strikes. The IRGC warned that Iran would soon launch a major retaliatory offensive against US bases and Israel.

Air raid sirens sounded across Israel early Sunday, with explosions reported in Tel Aviv as the Iron Dome defense system intercepted incoming missiles. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Witnesses in Gulf cities, including Dubai and Doha, also reported hearing blasts.

Iran had responded to Saturday’s initial strikes by launching hundreds of missiles and drones at US military positions and cities in Israel and allied Arab nations, leading to widespread flight cancellations across the region. The Pentagon reported no US casualties but warned of ongoing security risks, including potential cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure.

The attacks caused major disruptions to aviation in the Middle East, with Dubai International Airport and other regional hubs temporarily closing. Sites in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Kuwait were damaged, including the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel. Tehran also announced a temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil shipments, which could push oil prices higher.

Iranian Ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, described the country’s retaliatory strikes as defensive, reiterating that foreign military bases were legitimate targets. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate halt to hostilities, lamenting that diplomatic opportunities had been lost amid the escalating violence.