Following an Israeli report claiming that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had died in a joint airstrike between the US and Israel on Tehran, Iran retaliated with missile strikes on US military bases and cities throughout the Gulf region.
As reported by Israel’s media outlets, Reuters and the Jerusalem Post, Khamenei’s body was recovered from the remains of his house in a coordinated attack executed by both the US and Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that there were “definite indicators” of Khamenei’s death, but Iran has yet to acknowledge such.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has previously stated, “As far as I know, Khamenei is still alive,” making the current events highly unstable.
US-Israel launches major war operations
The US and Israel initiated military operations on Saturday morning utilizing large-scale air raids targeting Iran’s military leadership & intelligence apparatuses and infrastructure associated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
US President Donald Trump confirmed military operations conducted in conjunction between the US and Israel were, indeed, major combat operations under the code name of “Epic Fury”.
Netanyahu characterised Israel’s operations as Operation Lion’s Roar, which he asserts will ultimately free Iranians from their leadership through the removal of Iranian threats.
According to Iranian reports, the casualties from these attacks have exceeded 200, while there have been more than 740 injuries across Iran.
High-ranking Iranian officials, including the Minister of Defence and commanders from IRGC, have also reportedly been killed.
Iran retaliates, hits US bases and Gulf cities
Iran swiftly responded to this provocation, using missiles and drones to strike at U.S. military installations and allies in the region.
Missiles landed in close proximity to the U.S. Fifth Fleet support facility in Bahrain, and there were reports of explosions in Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Dubai.
The Iranian missiles that were fired at these targets also caused injury to civilians in Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah.
Iran has also communicated to the U.N. that all U.S. and Israeli military assets in the region are now considered “legitimate targets.”
Gulf airspace closes, severely disrupting global travel.
As a result of the ongoing hostilities, several Gulf nations have closed their airspace, creating massive disruptions in air travel all over the world.
For example, Air India has cancelled multiple international flights that connect India to Europe and North America, and Israel has completely shut down Ben Gurion International Airport.
Moreover, the congestion created by this crisis forced Mumbai International Airport to temporarily stop accepting diverted flights.
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India faces economic and citizen safety risks
The war has had an immediate impact on India.
There are over 8 million Indian people living in the Gulf that are now at risk of getting hit with missiles.
The Indian Government has requested people to act cautiously and informed Indian citizens they are in contact with them.
In addition to the humanitarian impact, the war has increased the cost of oil and disrupted shipping routes; consequently, there are concerns regarding fuel costs, inflation and trade costs in India.
Leadership vacuum could reshape Iran and the region
Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei is 86 years old, has ruled Iran since 1989 and is Iran’s supreme power.
If he passes away, Iran may be subject to internal strife, succession struggles and an increase in US and Israeli warfare.
In addition, Iran continues to fire missiles indicating that the war has entered a longer and uncertain period of time.
As a result of ongoing military operations and increasing numbers of civilian deaths, the Middle East teeters on the edge of a full-blown regional war that could alter the direction of the global economy, energy markets, and the security environment for decades.
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