Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killed in US-Israeli Air Strikes; Iran’s Revolutionary Guards vow sweeping retaliation

US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had targeted and killed the 86-year-old cleric, calling him “one of the most evil people in history” and urging Iranians to “take back their country.” The strikes were described by US and Israeli officials as part of a broader military campaign aimed at dismantling Iran’s ruling establishment.

Iran’s Red Crescent said more than 200 people were killed across the country in the attacks. At least 108 fatalities were reported when air strikes hit a girls’ school, according to Iranian authorities. State media also reported that members of Khamenei’s family were among the dead.

Photo composed by ChatGPT.

Across Iran, scenes were mixed. In several cities, people gathered in celebration, while others took to the streets in mourning. One resident told BBC Persian that Khamenei’s death meant “the world has become a better place now,” reflecting the deep divisions within the country.

Revolutionary Guards Threaten “Ferocious Offensive”

Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vowed swift and severe retaliation against both the United States and Israel. In a statement posted on Telegram, the Guards warned that “the most ferocious offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s armed forces will begin any moment now.”

“The hand of revenge of the Iranian nation will not let go of the murderers of the Imam of the Ummah,” the statement said, promising “severe, decisive and regrettable punishment.”

Unlike Iran’s conventional military, the IRGC reports directly to the supreme leader, underscoring the gravity of its threat. Iran retaliated within hours, launching missile and drone strikes across parts of the Middle East. Israeli authorities confirmed air-raid sirens and interceptions, while reports emerged of casualties in Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi.

From L-R: Donald Trump, Ali Khamenei & Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Official X.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Iranians directly, urging them to rise up against the regime. “This is your time to overthrow the regime and secure your future,” he said. Israel’s military chief described the unfolding operation as being on “a completely different scale” from last year’s 12-day conflict between the two countries.

Airspace was closed across Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, the UAE and Israel as airlines cancelled flights amid fears the conflict could spiral into a broader regional war.

Regional Fallout and Global Tensions

Khamenei, who had led Iran since 1989, was central to shaping the Islamic Republic’s regional strategy and foreign policy. His death represents the most consequential blow to Iran’s leadership structure in decades.

The assault came weeks after Iranian authorities suppressed mass protests at home and just hours after US envoys held talks with Iran’s foreign minister in Geneva. Trump later made clear that the objective was regime change rather than reviving nuclear negotiations.

As fresh explosions echoed across Tehran into Sunday morning, global leaders expressed alarm over the potential for a wider Middle East conflict. With Iran’s Revolutionary Guards promising retaliation and Israel maintaining high alert, the region now stands on the brink of a dangerous new chapter.