The Middle East has entered a new phase of large-scale conflict following coordinated United States and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, which resulted in the confirmed death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both announced Khamenei’s death after the strikes. President Trump described Khamenei on Truth Social as “one of the most evil people in history” and stated that the goal of the campaign was regime change.

The conflict escalated sharply Saturday morning when US and Israeli forces launched waves of one-way attack drones, air-launched precision strikes and cruise missiles, hitting military infrastructure and leadership compounds in daylight hours.

The strikes have already killed hundreds of people across Iran, including 165 children at a girls’ elementary school in Minab.

Trump said the operation aimed to stop Iran from threatening US national security, promising “heavy and pinpoint bombing” would continue “uninterrupted throughout the week or as long as necessary.” Both he and Netanyahu called on Iran’s military to lay down its weapons and urged civilians to “take over” their government.

US Republican Party Senator Tom Cotton echoed this rationale, telling CBS News the goal was not only to curb Iran’s nuclear program, but to also “dismantle their terror support network.”

Taking place at the start of the Iranian workweek and during the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, officials say the joint US-Israel operation was planned for months.

It followed stagnated negotiations and warnings from Trump over Iran’s refusal to completely abandon its nuclear program following the strikes in June 2025.

“I’m not happy with the fact that they're not willing to give us what we have to have.” Trump said after last week’s talks in Geneva broke down.

Strikes across Middle East

Source: liveuamap.com

Iranian retaliation

In response, Iran has launched missile and drone attacks across the region, targeting US military bases, Israeli urban centres and civilian infrastructure in neighbouring Gulf states.

Missiles were fired at the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, as well as US airbases in Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. Explosions were also reported in Saudi Arabia and northern Iraq.

A missile strike on a residential building in Tel Aviv killed one person and injured at least 21. Airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi sustained damage, leading to widespread flight cancellations and airspace closures that stranded hundreds of thousands of travellers.

Despite the attacks, the US military has claimed its advanced missile defences had intercepted the majority of incoming threats, reporting no casualties and minimal damage to its facilities.

Australia’s response

At a press conference, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stopped short of supporting the strikes, but expressed strong backing for efforts to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and highlighted the security threat posed by Tehran.

“What I would say is that the threat to international peace and of the Iranian regime is real. The actions that have been taken hopefully lead to a swift resolution, but we are concerned about the regional escalation.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong echoed the Prime Minister’s statements, urging Iran to stop retaliatory attacks. When asked about the legality for the strikes, she said she would “leave it for the United States and Israel to speak of the legal basis for the attacks.”

She did not confirm or deny whether Australian intelligence facilities, including Pine Gap, were used.

What might come next?

Iranian State media has confirmed the death of Khamenei, announcing 40 days of public mourning in Iran. Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, said that Israel and America will “regret their actions.”

As reports trickled out about the death and the ongoing situation, eyewitnesses in Tehran told the Associated Press that some residents were rejoicing, blowing whistles and letting out high-pitched cheers.

Reuters reported that prior to the attacks, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency assessed Khamenei could be replaced by hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps elements if killed.

Donald Trump told CBS News in a phone interview there are some “good candidates” to replace Khamenei, but didn’t divulge any details.

“I know exactly who, but I can’t tell you.”

The United Nations Security Council assembled for an emergency meaning shortly after the attack began amid fears the violence could escalate into a broader regional war

United Nations Chief António Guterres told ambassadors the action risks “igniting a chain of events that nobody can control in the most volatile region of the world.” He added that “everything must be done to prevent further escalation.”

US ambassador Mike Waltz defended the strikes as lawful, stating, “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.” Iran has rejected the justification and accused the US and Israel of violating international law and committing war crimes.

Political analysts have warned that calls for regime change from external powers have historically produced instability rather than democratic reform in the region.

Image source: AP News