Iran Retaliates, Millions in Israeli Shelters
Iran has launched a wave of retaliatory missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities, forcing millions into bomb shelters. The counterstrike follows the assassination of Supreme Leader Khamenei, while Israeli forces continue to pound targets in Tehran, escalating the conflict into a direct, large-scale exchange.
The assassination of the 86-year-old Supreme Leader was the result of a joint U.S.-Israeli operation that relied on months of CIA intelligence tracking his movements. Israeli jets conducted a "massive, wildly bold daytime attack," dropping 30 bombs on Khamenei's Tehran compound during a meeting of senior officials. Iranian state media confirmed that Khamenei's daughter, son-in-law, grandchild, and daughter-in-law were also killed in the airstrikes on the compound. Following the confirmation, the government declared 40 days of mourning and a seven-day public holiday. Iran's retaliatory arsenal is considered the largest inventory of ballistic missiles in the Middle East, with some capable of striking targets up to 2,000 kilometers away. The attacks also feature kamikaze drones like the Shahed-136, a core part of Iran's strategy to compensate for its aging conventional air force. To counter the barrage, Israel is utilizing one of the world's most advanced multi-layered air defense networks. This includes the Arrow system for long-range ballistic missiles, David's Sling for mid-range threats, and the Iron Dome for short-range rockets and drones. International reaction has been sharply divided. The U.S., UK, and Australia have expressed support for the strikes, while China and Russia have condemned them as a violation of Iran's sovereignty. The United Nations and European Union have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities to avoid a wider regional conflict. The escalating conflict poses a significant risk to the global economy by threatening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies. Roughly 20% of the world's oil passes through the strait, and any sustained disruption could cause a sharp increase in energy prices.
