Overview
- U.S. and Israeli forces pressed “Operation Epic Fury,” hitting Iranian leadership and security targets as Tehran’s state media confirmed the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- Iran answered with missile salvos toward Israel and bases hosting U.S. troops across the Gulf, with explosions and interceptions reported in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE.
- Casualties continued to climb, with reports of at least three U.S. service members killed and Iranian outlets citing dozens dead, including fatalities at a girls’ school in Minab.
- Pope Leo XIV’s Angelus message urged diplomacy over force, a call echoed by U.S. Catholic bishops, as the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia suspended church activities after local blasts.
- Iran’s government said a leadership council has begun work and indicated a successor could be chosen within days, while the EU and U.N. pressed for restraint and urgent talks.