The United States and Israel launched a major joint assault on Iran on Saturday that US President Donald Trump said would devastate the country’s military, dismantle its missile program and ultimately pave the way for regime change, prompting an unprecedented wave of retaliatory strikes from Tehran.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the attacks, according to two Israeli sources familiar with the matter. One of the sources said Israel had obtained a photo of Khamenei’s dead body.
In a video on Truth Social, Trump accused Iran of rejecting “every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions,” and said the US “can’t take it anymore.”
Unlike the last time the US and Israel struck Iran, in June, these strikes began in daylight on Saturday morning – the first day of the week in Iran – as millions went to work or school. And whereas the US strikes in June were over within a few hours, sources have told CNN that the US military is this time planning for several days of attacks, suggesting broader objectives.
In response, the Iranian regime has launched an unprecedented wave of strikes across the Middle East, targeting several countries that host US military bases. Blasts have been heard from the beaches of Dubai to the streets of Doha, in what could be the opening salvos of a war that threatens to engulf the region.
The extent of the damage in Iran and across the region is still emerging. Here’s what we know so far.
How did we get here?
The Iranian government has been under severe pressure since the turn of the year. Already weakened by last summer’s war with Israel, which the US briefly joined, the regime has been battling a severe economic crisis which sparked nationwide protests in January.
After a crackdown left thousands of protesters dead, Trump promised to come to their aid. He warned the US was “locked and loaded” to attack and began moving huge amounts of materiel to the region.
Despite the military buildup, the US also resumed efforts to reach a new nuclear deal with Iran. The last round of talks ended in Switzerland on Thursday, with Iran agreeing “never” to stockpile enriched uranium. The Omani foreign minister, who has acted as a mediator in the talks, said there had been “significant” progress.
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