Following the launch of “Operation Epic Wrath” by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, clashes in the region continue to intensify.
New wave of attacks
In a statement issued around 09:15 a.m. on Sunday, the Israeli army announced that “a new wave of strikes has been launched in the heart of Tehran against targets belonging to the terror regime in Iran.”
The Israeli military stated that over the past 24 hours, its air force had carried out large-scale attacks “to consolidate air superiority and open the way to Tehran.”
High-level casualties increasing
Following the official announcement of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the operation, the Tehran administration declared 40 days of mourning and seven days of official holiday.
Israel had earlier announced the killing of seven senior officials, including Khamenei’s advisor Ali Shamkhani and Revolutionary Guards Commander Mohammad Pakpour. The Chief of General Staff was also reported killed.
Iranian media reported on Sunday that General Gholamreza Rezaian, the national intelligence chief of Iran’s police force, also lost his life in the U.S.–Israeli attacks.
Retaliation in the Gulf
Iran’s retaliatory strikes spread to the Gulf region. According to Oman’s official news agency, the Palau-flagged oil tanker SKYLIGHT was targeted off the port of Khasab in Oman. The 20-member crew was evacuated, and four people were reported injured.
In Dubai, debris from unmanned aerial vehicles intercepted by air defense systems fell into residential areas. Emirati authorities announced that two people were slightly injured.
Explosions heard in Riyadh
On Sunday, strong explosions were heard east of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Witnesses reported hearing several powerful blasts and seeing smoke in the sky afterward.
Iranian President: A declaration of war against Muslims
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described Khamenei’s killing as “a declaration of war against Muslims, particularly Shiites.”
Pezeshkian stated that avenging Khamenei was a “legitimate right and duty” for Iran.
Larijani threatens ‘unprecedented attack’
Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, pledged on Sunday that following the attacks on the Islamic Republic, Iran would strike the United States and Israel with unprecedented force.
Using the same all-caps style employed by Trump on the Truth Social network, Larijani wrote on X: “YESTERDAY IRAN FIRED MISSILES AT THE UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL AND THEY CAUSED DAMAGE. TODAY, WE WILL STRIKE THEM WITH A FORCE THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.”
UAE warns Iran
Anwar Gargash, advisor to the President of the United Arab Emirates, appealed to Iran, stating, “Your war is not with your neighbors.”
Gargash said that attacks on Gulf countries were further isolating Iran at a critical moment and urged Tehran not to escalate tensions.
Eight dead in Pakistan
The clashes also reverberated beyond the region. At least eight people were killed and 20 injured during a pro-Iran protest held in front of the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan.
Aid teams reported that most of the injured had sustained gunshot wounds.
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