Iran war: How a 30-bomb barrage killed the Ayatollah and destroyed the compound
The body of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian dictator who ruled the country since 1989, was found amid the debris of his demolished compound following Israeli and US air strikes.
Air strikes destroyed his Tehran compound, killing Iran’s dreaded Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in 30 bomb blasts.
Joint US-Israeli strikes would wipe out the Iranian regime’s top brass and spread chaos throughout the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that there were “many indications” of Khamenei’s assassination before any official confirmation.
The bombing destroyed several buildings in the compound where the Supreme Leader and other key regime representatives were housed. Reports indicate that the debris revealed Khamenei, who has ruled Iran with an iron fist since 1989.
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Explosions reported across Tehran (Image: AP)
Read more: Khamenei’s death update: Iran’s leader has been assassinated and the country enters 40 days of mourning. Read more: Dubai Airport Live: Scary scenes after ‘attack’; people running to save their lives
Khamenei’s daughter, grandson, daughter and son-in-law were also killed in the bombing. State media confirmed the deaths earlier today and it is understood they lived together in the compound.
The first wave of Operation Epic Fury targeted sites associated with the Iranian regime’s security apparatus and focused on locations they claimed posed a direct threat to the US and its allies. The targets were buildings associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard as well as Iranian air and naval sites.
The purpose of the operation was to “decapitate” the country’s leadership. According to the US administration, there were no American casualties during the first phase of the operation.
At least 21 Tomahawk missiles flew in the air, attacking targets in Tehran. The explosion was reported by Iran’s Intelligence Ministry, Defence Ministry, and Atomic Energy Organization.
Khamenei ruled Iran since 1989 (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
It was one of several cities targeted, they also included Bushehr, Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah and Isfahan. Netanyahu, who has long campaigned for military intervention against Iran and for decades warned of the imminent nuclear threat from the country, said in a statement, “Challenging days lie ahead for us.
“Every military action involves risk. But the risk of inaction is enormous, because if we remain inactive, we will face a nuclear Iran, an Iran with thousands of ballistic missiles, and an Iran that will work to destroy us and will be immune to our countermeasures.
“As people who desire life, we have no choice but to join this campaign. However, this time, we are doing it with the enormous combined power of the State of Israel and the United States.”
The attacks targeted key targets linked to the Iranian regime. (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Iran retaliated after the barrage on Saturday morning by attacking nearby countries that are linked to or near US bases. Iranian drones and missiles have reportedly hit countries such as Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Israel.
Iranian shells appeared to hit luxury buildings and shopping areas in Dubai, a city that is home to hundreds of thousands of Britons. Bahrain also witnessed a drone attacking a residential tower.
