A cloud of uncertainty spread over Iran yesterday, just hours after the official confirmation of the death of the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
While attention immediately turned to those expected to assume power, with President Pezeshkian temporarily taking the helm of governance, Tehran’s military response remains unclear.
The Revolutionary Guards warned that they would launch “the fiercest attack in history” against Israel and the United States, prompting US President Donald Trump to respond that in such a case “the United States will answer with unprecedented force.”
Since early yesterday morning, Iran launched new strikes using missiles and drones against Israel and US bases in the region.
What preceded
Overnight, news of the death of the man who ruled Iran with an iron grip for 37 years, succeeding Ayatollah Khomeini, reportedly triggered applause, celebrations, and music from some windows, according to eyewitnesses.
Donald Trump referred to the development via Truth Social. The US President remains in Florida, where he is overseeing the military operation that is reshaping the Middle East and raising concerns about global oil supply.
“Khamenei, one of the most evil figures in history, is dead,” the US President stated. “He was unable to escape our intelligence services and our highly advanced surveillance systems and, given our close cooperation with Israel, there was nothing he could do,” he added.
Iranian media also reported that the Supreme Leader’s daughter, son in law, and granddaughter were killed.
Trump further stated that the bombings would continue “throughout the week” or “for as long as necessary,” adding that the Iranian people now have the “greatest opportunity” presented to them to “reclaim” control of their country.
Source: SigmaLive
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