Sources indicated that areas near offices associated with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei were among the sites hit during the operation, although the extent of damage and casualties has not been fully confirmed. Reports from within Iran suggested explosions were heard in several cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, and Kermanshah, while military installations and naval facilities were also believed to be targeted. Iranian officials did not immediately disclose the location of Khamenei, but local reports claimed he had been moved to a secure site. Unverified accounts also suggested that members of the Revolutionary Guards were killed in the strikes.
The joint action followed weeks of rising tension after the deployment of additional US naval assets to the region and renewed warnings over Iran’s nuclear activities. In a national address, US President Donald Trump said the operation was intended to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and to counter what he described as long-standing threats to American and allied security interests. He also urged the Iranian population to challenge its leadership, saying the United States would continue to apply pressure on Tehran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also defended the operation, stating that the strikes were aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities and creating conditions for political change. He said Iran’s leadership had continued to support militant groups hostile to Israel and had refused to halt its nuclear programme despite international pressure.
Analysts say calls for regime change in Iran reflect long-standing differences between Tehran and its adversaries, particularly over uranium enrichment and regional influence. However, experts warn that any attempt to destabilize the Iranian government could have unpredictable consequences across the Middle East, including possible disruption to Gulf security and global energy markets. With both sides exchanging threats, the situation remains volatile, and diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation appear uncertain.
