Iranian Missiles Strike Tel Aviv As US-Israel Offensive Intensifies

(MENAFN- Daily News Egypt) The military confrontation between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other entered its second day on Sunday, amid a sharp escalation that threatens to widen the conflict and disrupt global energy supplies.

Iranian missiles struck Tel Aviv and other areas, as Tehran expanded its retaliation following large-scale strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets. The escalation has raised concerns over a broader regional spillover, particularly after projectiles and drones were reported over several Gulf states.

Iranian state television reported that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the attacks launched on Saturday. Iranian media also reported the deaths of several senior figures, including former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi, Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, IRGC commander Mohammad Bagheri, and senior adviser Ali Shamkhani.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vowed a severe response, describing Khamenei's assassination as a“blatant violation of religious, moral and legal norms” and holding Washington and Tel Aviv responsible. In a statement, it said“the hand of revenge of the Iranian people will remain extended,” pledging to confront what it called aggression decisively.

The Guards said they carried out dozens of strikes targeting 27 US bases in the region, as well as Israeli military sites in Tel Aviv. They claimed to have fired ballistic missiles at the USS Abraham Lincoln and to have downed a US MQ-9 drone, releasing footage purportedly showing the incident.

For its part, the Israeli military said its air force had“achieved aerial superiority over Tehran” in the opening wave of strikes. A spokesperson stated that around 500 targets were hit, including air defence systems and missile launch platforms, and claimed that dozens of Iranian commanders were killed in the initial phase of the operation.

Israel said it had mobilised approximately 20,000 reservists in the past 24 hours. Emergency services reported fatalities and injuries after Iranian missiles struck Beit Shemesh, Jerusalem and the greater Tel Aviv area. Israeli media, including Haaretz, cited municipal officials as saying dozens of buildings were damaged and hundreds of residents evacuated.

A Syrian Interior Ministry source told Agence France-Presse that an Iranian missile was intercepted over Damascus, where a loud explosion was heard.

In the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates said its air defences intercepted missiles and drones, reporting casualties among foreign nationals. Kuwait's Health Ministry confirmed one death and multiple injuries, while its Defence Ministry said it tracked dozens of missiles and drones and responded in line with established rules of engagement.

In Bahrain, authorities said the Crowne Plaza hotel in Manama sustained material damage but no casualties were reported. AFP also cited Iraqi security sources as saying members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces were killed in a strike on their headquarters.

Oman reported that an oil tanker flying the flag of Palau was targeted off its coast, injuring crew members. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said a vessel 50 nautical miles north of Muscat was struck by a projectile, causing a fire that was later contained. Reuters reported that at least 150 oil and gas tankers had halted in Gulf waters outside the Strait of Hormuz, heightening fears of disruption to global energy flows.

United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said damage to American facilities was limited and did not affect operations, adding that there were no US casualties and that its forces had defended against“hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks”.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed to“drive the enemies toward despair by destroying their bases and capabilities”, calling for national unity. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described Khamenei's killing as a“cowardly act” and said Iran would defend its sovereignty.

Tehran also announced the formation of a temporary leadership council in accordance with Article 111 of the constitution to assume the Supreme Leader's duties, in a move aimed at preserving institutional continuity.

Regionally, Saudi Arabia summoned the Iranian ambassador over what it described as Iranian aggressions, while Gulf states voiced concern over attacks on their territories. Senior Iranian official Ali Larijani warned that any regional bases used by Washington could become targets.

Internationally, China called for an immediate halt to military operations, warning that launching attacks during negotiations was“unacceptable”. Russia's TASS news agency quoted President Vladimir Putin as condemning the assassination as a violation of international law.

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