Iran Launches Major Retaliatory Strikes on U.S. and Israeli Targets After Death of Supreme Leader

In a dramatic escalation of regional hostilities, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced and initiated a new wave of missile and drone strikes on Sunday targeting Israel and multiple United States military bases across the Middle East, according to Iran’s state television and official statements. The strikes follow the confirmed death of Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, in a joint U.S.–Israeli military operation.

State media and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard described the latest attacks as a direct response to the killing of Khamenei, framing them as defensive and justified under the country’s national security doctrine. The IRGC has repeatedly vowed that its military actions will be “the most ferocious offensive operation in history,” signalling intentions to sustain and intensify strikes against what it termed “occupied territories and American terrorist bases” in the region.

The operation marked a significant uptick in the scope and intensity of the conflict. Iranian forces reportedly launched ballistic missiles and armed drones at American facilities hosting U.S. troops, as well as at positions linked to Israel, in a show of force that analysts say reflects Tehran’s determination to retaliate after the highest-profile loss in its leadership in decades.

The IRGC’s statement late Sunday underscored its commitment to swift retaliation, framing the strikes as both retribution for Khamenei’s death and a broader campaign against perceived adversaries. In its announcements, the Guard vowed that its offensive would be unprecedented in scale and impact, although independent verification of specific targets or damage assessments remains limited amid the rapidly unfolding situation.

International reactions to the renewed hostilities have been swift. The United States and Israel have defended their earlier strikes as necessary measures to neutralise threats from Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure, insisting that their actions are lawful and aimed at preventing wider destabilisation. Tehran, in turn, has decried these explanations and described the attacks as violations of international law.

The latest developments have heightened fears of a broader regional conflict, with implications for global security, energy markets and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions. Governments across the Middle East have expressed concern over civilian safety and the potential for spill-over effects, even as the combatants continue to exchange strikes and warnings.