Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, has been killed in joint United States and Israeli air strikes that began Saturday, according to Iranian state media The strikes, which targeted his compound in Tehran, also killed several of his family members and senior officials, marking a major escalation in the region The attack on the man who shaped Iran's political, military, and religious order for more than three decades has triggered direct, state-on-state military conflict
In response, Iran has launched widespread retaliatory attacks, firing waves of missiles and drones at Israel and at US military facilities in several Gulf states An Iranian missile strike on the central Israeli city of Beit Shemesh killed at least nine people and injured 28 others The escalating violence has resulted in a rising death toll across the region, with reports of more than 200 people killed in Iran and at least three US service members killed during the operations
The conflict has caused immediate global disruption. Precious metal prices have surged, with silver rising eight percent and gold hitting over $5,275 per ounce amid safe-haven buying In addition, maritime security has been compromised near the strategic Strait of Hormuz after an oil tanker was struck by a projectile, leading more than 150 other vessels to drop anchor to avoid the vital shipping lane Israel has also closed the Rafah border crossing with Gaza, a key point for humanitarian aid
ISN MEDIA
