Following the confirmed death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, an interim leadership council has assumed authority under Iran’s constitution and met on Sunday.
The council is led by President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Eje’i, and Expediency Council member Ahmad-Ali A’rafi. It will carry out Khamenei’s duties until a successor is selected by the Assembly of Experts.
The Bahrain Defense Force said on Sunday its air defense systems successfully intercepted and destroyed 61 missiles and 34 drones launched by Iran targeting the Kingdom.
“We condemn the attacks on civilian infrastructure and private property as grave violations of international humanitarian law, principles of distinction and proportionality, and a direct threat to regional peace,” the statement said.
“Bahrain reaffirms its right to defend its sovereignty and urges residents to stay indoors except for essential activities,” the statement added.
Retired US General Jack Keane said on Fox News on Sunday that several Persian Gulf states are preparing for offensive operations in coordination with US Central Command.
Keane said the states are already defending themselves, with some preparing for combat and one reportedly having already begun operations. He added that two others are “about to get going.”
The operations, Keane said, will involve “coordinated, selected targets” under the oversight of Admiral Cooper and Central Command, and will contribute to the “offensive nature” of ongoing military actions in the region.
Two Iranian ballistic missiles were fired toward Cyprus but were intercepted, UK Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed on Sunday.
Officials said the missiles were likely aimed at nearby US carrier groups and not at RAF Akrotiri or the island itself.
No impacts were reported, and reports of explosions are believed to relate to the missile interceptions.
Two senior Shiite religious authorities in Iran, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani and Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, issued fatwas calling on Muslims worldwide to take revenge for the reported killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli attack.
Nouri Hamedani responded in writing to a request from the presidium of the Assembly of Seminary Students and Scholars in Qom, and on Sunday he said all Muslims are religiously obliged to avenge Khamenei’s death at the hands of the perpetrators.
Makarem Shirazi issued a fatwa identifying the United States and Israel as the “main perpetrators” and described retaliation as a religious duty for Muslims worldwide “until the evil of these criminals is eradicated from the world.”
Over the past 36 hours, the United States and its partners have launched Operation epic fury, one of the largest, most complex, most overwhelming military offenses the world has ever seen. Nobody has seen anything like it.
We have hit hundreds of targets in Iran, including Revolutionary Guard facilities, Iranian air defense systems. Just now was announced that we knocked out nine ships plus their naval building, all in a matter of literally minutes.
Iran's formerly Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is dead. This wretched and vile man had the blood of hundreds and even 1000s of Americans on his hands and was responsible for the slaughter of countless 1000s of innocent people all across many countries.
Last night, all over Iran, the voices of the Iranian people could be heard cheering and celebrating in the streets when his death was announced. The entire military command is gone as well, and many of them want to surrender into saving their lives. They want immunity. They're calling by the 1000s.
Combat operations continue at this time in full force, and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved. We have very strong objectives. They could have done something two weeks ago, but they just couldn't get there.
Earlier today, CENTCOM shared the news that three US military service members have been killed in action as one nation, we grieve for the true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, even as we continue the righteous mission for which they gave their lives, we pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen. And sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That's the way it is. Likely be more but we'll do everything possible. Or that won't be the case, but America will avenge their deaths and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against, basically, civilization.
They have waged war against civilization itself, our resolve and likewise, that of Israel has never been stronger. America is now again the richest, most powerful nation in the world by far. But the only reason we enjoy the quality of life that we do and the freedom and security is we have done things that others are unable to do, but it's because of warriors who are willing to lay down their lives to do battle with our enemies, and they do battle better than anybody an Iranian regime armed with long range missiles and nuclear weapons would be a dire threat to every American.
We cannot allow a nation that raises terrorist armies to possess such weapons. Would allow them to extort the world to their evil will not going to let it happen, not happening to us, and we're not going to let it happen to others.
The United States has the strongest military the world has ever seen. I rebuilt our military in my first term. There's never been a military like we possess, and frankly, there's nobody even close. But we are now using that military for good. We want to have it for good purpose. We're undertaking this massive operation not merely to ensure security for our own time and place, but for our children and their children, just as our ancestors have done for us, many, many years ago, this is the duty and the burden of a free people.
These actions are right and they are necessary to ensure that Americans will never have to face a radical, bloodthirsty terrorist regime armed with nuclear weapons and lots of threats. For almost 50 years, these wicked extremists have been attacking the United States while chanting the slogan, Death to America, or death to Israel, or both. They are the world's number one state sponsor of terror. We are the world's greatest and most powerful nation, so we can do something about what they do. These intolerable threats will not continue any longer.
I once again urge the Revolutionary Guard, the Iranian military police, to lay down your arms and receive full immunity or face certain death. It will be certain. Death won't be pretty. I call upon all Iranian patriots who yearn for freedom to seize this moment, to be brave, be bold, be heroic, and take back your country. America is with you. I made a promise to you, and I fulfilled that promise. The rest will be up to you, and we'll be there to help. Thank you. God bless you to our incredible warriors, and God bless the United States of America.
