Loud explosions heard in western Tehran

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.

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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.”