Where things stand
• Iran’s supreme leader killed: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed, Iranian state media has confirmed, after a massive US-Israeli attack on the country that US President Donald Trump said would continue with heavy bombing throughout the week.
• About the strikes: Trump indicated the military operation is aimed at overturning Tehran’s government. One strike killed over 100 students in a school in southern Iran, according to state media.
• Unprecedented retaliation: Iran threatened the most ferocious offensive in its history after the supreme leader’s death. It has already unleashed strikes on US military bases, Israel and other targets across the Middle East, rocking densely populated areas and disrupting air travel and oil shipments.
• Celebrations and condemnations: In Tehran, celebrations were heard following reports of Khamenei’s death. Across the US, people took to the streets, with some celebrating and others protesting the strikes on Iran.
Dubai airport damaged and staff injured amid Iranian drone barrage of UAE
A concourse at Dubai International Airport (DXB) sustained “minor damage” early on Sunday.
“Four staff sustained injuries and received prompt medical attention,” Dubai Airports said in a statement to CNN.
Most of the terminals were already cleared of passengers as an earlier precautionary measure when the airports were closed on Saturday.
Social media videos verified by CNN show the interior of the airport filled with smoke as dozens of airline employees calmly evacuated the building.
Eyewitnesses have also described to CNN scenes of ambulances rushing toward the airport.
The UAE Ministry of Defense said that although it managed to intercept 195 drones that were launched at the country since the start of Iran’s attack on Saturday, 14 fell within the country’s territories “causing some collateral damage.”
Earlier on Saturday, Dubai Airports issued a statement that said “passengers must not travel to the airport and are advised to contact their airline directly for the latest flight updates.”
The airport is one of the busiest in the world and serves as a major aviation hub in the Middle East.
CNN’s Tala Alrajjal contributed reporting
Death toll at girls' school in US-Israel strike rises to 118
The number of people killed in a US-Israeli strike on a girls’ school in the southern Iranian city of Minab has risen to 118, Iranian state media reports.
CNN geolocated video from the scene to the Shajaba Tayyiba School in Southern Minab. It sits about 200 feet from an Iranian military base, and previously appears to have been part of the base, but satellite imagery shows that it has been separated from the base since at least 2016.
The school appears to have been previously part of the base, but satellite imagery shows that the two sites have been separated since at least 2016.
US regional allies grapple with Trump’s turn away from diplomacy on Iran
On Friday, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi held an urgent meeting with US Vice President JD Vance in Washington, DC, stressing how much progress had been made in diplomatic negotiations between the US and Iran and his hope that more progress could be made in discussions the following week.
Albusaidi left the meeting feeling that Vance had attentively engaged, but also pessimistic about a diplomatic breakthrough given the massive US military buildup in the region, according to a source familiar with the meeting. Still, he had no idea that strikes were on the horizon — imminently.
US President Donald Trump’s announcement of “major combat operations” against Iran some 16 hours later represented another turn away from diplomacy for a leader who hails his role as a peacemaker. It is the second time in Trump’s second term that active negotiations to constrain Iran’s nuclear program have been derailed by kinetic military action.
Multiple US allies in the region received alerts through military channels that the strikes were coming, and some even got phone calls from top Trump administration officials, according to four sources familiar with the matter.
While there were sustained efforts to push the Trump administration away from strikes earlier this year by multiple regional countries, some nations, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, had been privately advocating in favor of strikes, two of the sources said.
When regional allies got a heads up that the strikes were coming, some sources said it was not clear that the targets would include Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Now that the leader is gone the region is reeling with questions about what comes next.
Iran threatens "heaviest offensive" in its history following supreme leader's death
Iran’s elite revolutionary guards have said the most ferocious offensive operation in the Islamic Republic’s history will begin any moment now, in a threat directed at Israel and the United States.
Iran’s state functions have been quick to vow retaliation, following confirmation the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the US and Israeli strikes on Saturday.
The Iranian government said in a statement that “this great crime will never remain unanswered and will turn a new page in the history of the Islamic world.”
Meanwhile, the country’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) said the joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran would “begin a massive uprising in fighting the world’s oppressors.”
The SNSC, a powerful body that coordinates Iran’s national defense and security strategies, said Iran and its allies will only be “more resiliant and determined.”
In cities across the US, some demonstrators celebrate while others condemn strikes on Iran
Groups of demonstrators took to the streets in major American cities on Saturday, with some celebrating and others protesting the US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
In the Los Angeles area, people were hugging, dancing and getting emotional with the backdrop of celebratory music as they shared their excitement at the news of the strikes on Iran and initial announcements that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed.
Outside the federal building in the city’s Westwood neighborhood, demonstrators were heard chanting: “Thank you Trump!” Iranians and Iranian Americans could be seen jumping in the air and chanting, “Thank you Bibi,” referring to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Outside of Los Angeles’ city hall, a smaller group of anti-war protesters gathered in objectionto the strikes on Iran, video from Spectrum News Los Angeles shows.
In New York City, protesters in Manhattan’s Times Square demanded an end to the attacks on Iran as they marched through the streets and chanted, “We rejected his fascist plan, with no war with Iran,” expressing their frustrations with President Donald Trump.
A large crowd of protesters were seen near the White House in Washington, DC, with several speakers as people waved flags and signs, according to CNN affiliate WJLA.
In Dallas, a “Free Iran” demonstration was taking place in the city, with many attendees holding up Iranian flags, according to CNN affiliate KTVT.
Other demonstrations were taking place outside the state capitol in Denver; Richmond, Virginia; and New Orleans.
Crowds in Los Angeles erupted in celebration following the news of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death. Among the voices echoing through the crowd was the call for Reza Pahlavi, the son of the shah, to return and lead a temporary government, with hopes of holding a referendum to reshape Iran’s future. CNN's Julia Vargas Jones reports.
Iranian ballistic missile attacks strike heart of Tel Aviv
CNN’s Jeremy Diamond reports from the scene of an Iranian ballistic missile attack on Tel Aviv on Saturday.
CNN's Jeremy Diamond reports from the scene of an Iranian ballistic missile attack on Tel Aviv.
Attacks on Arab neighbors suggest Tehran is desperate, CNN correspondent says
Iran’s strikes on neighboring Arab countries may suggest how desperate its regime has become, CNN Chief International Security Correspondent Nick Paton Walsh said.
Reporting from southern Israel, Walsh called it “a startling move,” saying that Iran has washed away “any concept of trying to retain allegiances in the area and simply lash out wherever it potentially could.”
“That, I think, has a region reeling now and may also suggest how desperate, perhaps what remains of the Iranian government indeed,” he added.
Over the past day, Tehran fired waves of strikes across the Middle East, rocking densely populated areas and disrupting air travel.
Supreme leader was killed at his compound in Tehran, Iranian state media reports
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in his compound in the capital Tehran, Iranian state media reported.
Khamenei was killed “in his office in the household of the leader” while “carrying out his duties” at the time of the attack early on Saturday, state media Fars News Agency reported.
Satellite images from Airbus showed black smoke rising from the leader’s Tehran compound after the attack. The images appear to show that several buildings in the compound were severely damaged by strikes.
The compound is in the center of Tehran, close to the university. It is a decision-making and nerve center for the theocratic leadership of the Islamic Republic.
Iranian TV announcer in tears while delivering news of supreme leader's death
An announcer appearing on Iranian television to deliver the news of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei broke down in tears as he read the statement.
Iran confirmed the death of its leader early Sunday local time, a day after US and Israeli strikes on the country began.
Iran has announced 40 days of mourning following Khamenei’s death.
CENTCOM releases new video of US strikes on Iran
US Central Command released a new video Saturday night showing US strikes against Iran, underscoring the continued military campaign, which President Donald Trump earlier said will carry on “uninterrupted throughout the week, or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!”
US should work with Iran's opposition, Trump's former security adviser says
The Trump administration should work with Iran’s opposition in the wake of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death, former US national security adviser John Bolton told CNN.
“I think the most important point right now is to maximize the extent of our cooperation and exchange of information with the opposition inside Iran. It’s absolutely critical that we know what they’re capable of doing, whether they can help cause fractures in the regime at the top, bring governmental military officials over to the opposition side and help bring the regime down,” Bolton said.
Commenting on Khamenei’s death, Bolton said he “deserved it.”
Who could lead Iran after death of the supreme leader?
Multiple Iranian state media outlets have confirmed the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after the US and Israel said he was killed in joint strikes on the nation.
Who could replace him remains unclear — the veteran leader does not have an officially declared heir.
An elected body of 88 senior clerics, known as the Assembly of Experts, will select the next leader.
CNN takes a look at some of the contenders for the position, according to experts and analysts.
- Mojtaba Khamenei, 56: The second son of Khamenei, Mojtaba is known to wield significant influence and has strong links with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as well as its Basij volunteer paramilitary force. But father-to-son succession is frowned upon in the Shiite Muslim clerical establishment. An additional hurdle is that Mojtaba is not a high-ranking cleric and has no official role in the regime.
- Alireza Arafi, 67: A lesser-known figure, Arafi is an established cleric and confidant of Khamenei. He currently serves as deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts and has been a member of the powerful Guardian Council, which vets election candidates and laws passed by parliament. He is also head of Iran’s seminary system. Arafi isn’t known to be a political heavyweight and doesn’t have close ties to the security establishment.
- Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri, early 60s: A hardline cleric and a member of the Assembly of Experts who represents the most conservative wing of the clerical establishment. According to IranWire, an activist outlet, he is strongly opposed to the West and believes a conflict between believers and infidels is inevitable. He currently heads the Islamic Sciences Academy in the northern holy city of Qom.
- Hassan Khomeini, early 50s: The grandson of the Islamic Republic founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, giving him religious and revolutionary legitimacy. He serves as the custodian of the Khomeini mausoleum but hasn’t held public office and appears to have little influence with the country’s security apparatus or ruling elite. He is known to be less hardline than many of his peers.
- Hashem Hosseini Bushehri, late 60s: A senior cleric closely linked to the institutions that manage succession, particularly the Assembly of Experts, where he serves as first deputy chairman. Bushehri said to have been close to Khamenei but has a low profile domestically and isn’t known to have strong ties to the IRGC.
Iranian state media confirm death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Multiple Iranian state media are confirming the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“The Supreme Leader of Iran Has Reached Martyrdom,” state broadcaster IRIB reported Sunday morning.
“This great scholar and mujahid (fighter) sacrificed his life to lift Iran… and he is in the grand presence of martyrs above,” said the state affliated Mehr news outlet.
Iran announced 40 days of national mourning following the Supreme Leader’s death.
The announcement comes after the US and Israel said Khamenei was killed following a barrage of joint US-Israeli strikes on the nation.
Trump says he knows who he wants to lead Iran; diplomacy is "much easier now"
President Donald Trump said Saturday there are “some good candidates” to lead Iran after he announced the killing of the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Asked by CBS News in a phone interview who he thought was in charge, Trump said, “I know exactly who, but I can’t tell you.”
When pressed on whether there is someone in Iran he would prefer to see assume leadership, the president said, “Yes, I think so. There are some good candidates.”
Trump did not elaborate further on whom he was referencing.
In the same phone call, the president also argued that the attacks have strengthened the United States’ position in any potential negotiations.
“Much easier now than it was a day ago, obviously,” Trump said when asked about the possibility of a diplomatic solution. “Because they are getting beat up badly,” the president added.
Trump then voiced confidence in the outcome of the operation, describing Saturday as “a great day for this country, a great day for the world.”
This post has been updated with additional information.
Drone strikes Bahrain International Airport, following attacks on airports in other Gulf states
A drone strike has damaged Bahrain International Airport, officials said, marking the fourth Gulf state airport to be attacked by Iran.
Bahrain’s interior ministry said the strike resulted in “material damage without loss of life,” adding that authorities were securing the site.
The attack on Bahrain’s main airport follows attacks on two airports in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and one in Kuwait.
At least one person was killed and seven injured in a drone strike at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH), the airport said.
A concourse at Dubai International Airport (DXB) sustained “minor damage,” and four people were injured following an earlier incident on Sunday.
A drone strike also caused limited damage and minor injuries to some workers at Kuwait International Airport (KWI), according to state media and the country’s Civil Aviation Authority.
A number of Gulf states – including the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar – have closed their airspace.
Iran has struck a number of military and civilian targets in Gulf states as it retaliates after US and Israeli strikes on Saturday.
CNN’s Max Saltman, Dalia Abdelwahab and Jennifer Hauser contributed reporting
Waltz cites broad Iranian aggression over decades to justify strikes
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz sought to justify US and Israeli strikes against Iran during a UN Security Council meeting Saturday by citing a broad catalog of Iranian aggression towards the US and its allies over the course of many years, but he didn’t point to any imminent threat posed by the country.
“The regime in Tehran has led attacks that have cost American lives, hundreds of US Marines in Lebanon, thousands of troops in Iraq; American hostage after hostage has suffered; our ships fired upon dozens of times in the Red Sea. Iran has armed and financed militant organizations that undermine lawful governments and destabilize an already fragile region,” Waltz said.
Waltz – echoing President Donald Trump’s remarks early on Saturday morning – said that the Iranian regime has for decades “willfully destabilized the world.”
Waltz pointed to the threats that the Iranian regime has posed to US regional allies and international shipping including with its support for proxy groups that the US has declared terrorist organizations.
After the Iranian representative spoke and argued that the strikes were inconsistent with international law, Waltz took the floor again to swipe back.
“I’ll just say on a final note, you know who is not complaining tonight? You know who is not citing the vagaries of international law? You know who is celebrating in the streets around the world? The Iranian people,” Waltz said.
Video shows fire engulfing residential high-rise in Bahrain
Videos geolocated and verified by CNN show a large fire at a residential high-rise building in Manama, Bahrain, on Saturday.
It’s unclear what caused the fire at the Breaker apartment tower, but videos show a blaze engulfing exterior cladding across nearly all of the 30-story building.
Earlier in Manama, footage verified by CNN showed an Iranian Shahed drone striking the upper floors of another building, the Era View residential tower. Nearby, another drone strike destroyed a radar dome at a US naval base.
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said Saturday night that a residential building in Manama was “targeted” and that authorities are investigating. Earlier, the ministry announced that three buildings in Manama and Muharraq sustained damage “as a result of drone attacks and falling debris from an intercepted missile.”
“The first building has been evacuated, and the fire has been brought under control, with one minor case of smoke inhalation treated on site,” the ministry said in a post on X, without specifying which buildings or where.
“Firefighting and security operations are underway at the second site, while an assessment of the material damage to the third building caused by falling debris from an intercepted missile is underway,” it said.
CNN has reached out to the ministry to confirm whether the Breaker is among the buildings noted in its post.
Israeli military launches another wave of strikes as explosions reported in Tehran
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday said it has begun another wave of strikes against Iran.
In a statement, the IDF said the new attack was targeting Iran’s “ballistic missile array and the aerial defense systems.”
Soon after, Iran’s semi-official news agency Tasnim, reported that explosions were heard in Tehran.
FBI's high alert means "all hands on deck" for surveillance
The FBI’s counterterrorism and counterintelligence teams are on high alert after the US-Israel strikes in Iran. What does that really mean?
CNN’s chief law enforcement and intelligence analyst explains here:
US defense secretary says Iran is "suffering the consequences" of refusing to reach a deal
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth touted US strikes on Iran in a social media post this evening, describing the attacks as “the consequences” of Iran refusing to make a deal with the US.
Hegseth — who is currently with President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, according to a US official — went on to say that Iran’s missile production and its navy “will be destroyed.
“And, as President Trump has said his entire life, Iran will never have a nuclear weapon,” Hegseth added.
CNN’s Haley Britzky contributed to this post.
