‎Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, confirmed dead after U.S.-Israeli strikes as region braces for escalation ‎

‎Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, confirmed dead after U.S.-Israeli strikes as region braces for escalation
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‎Iran has confirmed the death of its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following a large-scale U.S.-Israeli military assault that has dramatically intensified tensions across the Middle East and raised fears of a wider regional war.
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‎The strikes, which hit multiple targets across Iran, were described by U.S. President Donald Trump as part of a campaign aimed at dismantling Iran’s ruling system.
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‎Trump indicated the operation would continue for several days, signaling sustained military pressure on Tehran.
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‎Iranian authorities said Khamenei was killed during the initial wave of attacks. His death marks an unprecedented moment for the Islamic Republic, which has been led by a supreme leader since the 1979 revolution.
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‎Among the deadliest incidents reported was an airstrike near a military installation that struck an elementary school, killing more than 100 girls, according to Iranian officials.
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‎The attack has drawn sharp international condemnation and renewed scrutiny of civilian harm amid the rapidly expanding conflict.
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‎In response, Iran has launched what it called “unprecedented” retaliation, firing missiles and drones at U.S. military bases, targets in Israel, and other locations across the region.
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‎ A senior Iranian figure who survived the initial strikes vowed to exact revenge, warning that the United States would be “stabbed in the heart.”
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‎The escalating exchanges have already disrupted air travel, damaged major transportation hubs, and rattled densely populated urban areas.
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‎Oil shipments through key regional routes have also been affected, raising concerns about global energy markets.
‎Reactions inside Iran have underscored deep internal divisions.
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‎While some Iranians have openly mourned Khamenei’s death, others have celebrated, reflecting long-standing tensions between the state and its critics.
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‎ Similar divisions have appeared in the United States, where demonstrations have included both supporters of the strikes and protesters warning of the consequences of a broader war.
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‎As fighting continues, world leaders are urging restraint, even as the region edges closer to a conflict with global implications.