Explosions were reported in several countries hosting American military assets, including Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. The strikes marked one of the most serious escalations in recent years, with both sides deploying advanced weapons systems and placing their armed forces on high alert. Military analysts say the exchange of attacks has significantly increased the risk of regional war involving multiple countries.
Among the reported targets in Iran was a heavily guarded compound in Tehran associated with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Satellite images circulating after the strikes showed extensive damage to the complex, with several structures reduced to rubble. Officials familiar with the situation indicated that senior political and military figures were among the intended targets, though the full extent of casualties remains unclear.
Sources close to Iranian authorities said Khamenei was moved to a secure location before the attacks took place, suggesting that Tehran had anticipated the possibility of military action. Security measures around key government and military sites had reportedly been tightened in recent days amid growing tension following warnings from Washington.
The attack on the compound has renewed speculation about whether the Iranian leadership itself could become a direct target in the conflict. Strategic options discussed by US officials in recent weeks were said to include plans for strikes against top leadership figures in the event of a major escalation. While no confirmation has been given that such plans were approved, the intensity of the current operation indicates that the conflict has entered a dangerous phase.
This is not the first time Khamenei has faced assassination attempts. During the early years of Iran’s Islamic Republic, he survived a bombing that left him seriously injured, an incident that continues to shape the country’s security policies. With tensions now at their highest level in years, governments across the region are closely monitoring the situation, warning that further strikes could trigger a broader war with global consequences.
