US and Israel Expand Attacks as Iran Retaliates Across Region

TEHRAN: (Web Desk) – The United States carried out extensive air and missile strikes across Iran, hitting hundreds of military and strategic locations, while Israel widened its offensive into Lebanon, sharply escalating an already volatile regional conflict. The attacks followed the first American military casualties since the war began, prompting US President Donald Trump to pledge severe retaliation.

Iran responded by launching missiles and drones across the Middle East, killing civilians in Israel and the United Arab Emirates. The confrontation intensified after the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an event Tehran described as an act of war.

The US military confirmed it had expanded its campaign on Sunday, claiming it destroyed the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the powerful force that has safeguarded Iran’s ruling system since 1979. US Central Command declared that the IRGC command structure had effectively been dismantled.

Israel said it conducted large-scale strikes in central Tehran and simultaneously intensified bombardment across Lebanon targeting Hezbollah. Explosions were reported in Beirut as Hezbollah claimed it launched rockets and drones toward Israel in response to Khamenei’s death.

Oil prices jump 13%, top $80 amid Middle East tensions

President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly called for the collapse of Iran’s ruling system. Trump said the military campaign could continue for several weeks and warned Iranian security forces to surrender or face what he described as “certain death.”

The Pentagon confirmed that three US service members were killed and several wounded during Operation Epic Fury. While Trump vowed further punishment, senior US Democrats criticized the operation as reckless and unjustified.

Iranian leaders vowed retaliation, calling the strikes legitimate self-defence. Missile attacks inside Israel killed civilians near Tel Aviv and Beit Shemesh, while roads near Jerusalem were also hit. Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian labelled the killing of Khamenei a declaration of war against Muslims.

Regionally, unrest spread beyond Iran. Protests erupted in Pakistan, where demonstrators attempted to storm the US consulate in Karachi. Gulf shipping lanes were also targeted, with drone strikes reported in Oman and multiple vessels attacked near the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a spike in global oil prices.

Iran announced interim leadership arrangements as international reactions remained divided, with allies urging restraint while warning of wider regional destabilisation.