Middle East Tensions Escalate as Israel Strikes Hezbollah After Khamenei’s Death

Israel intensified its military campaign in Lebanon on Monday, expanding regional conflict following a joint Israel–US attack on Iran, launched by President Donald Trump to remove Tehran’s clerical leadership.

Targets across Lebanon, including Beirut, were hit after Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shiite militant group, fired rockets at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Israeli officials reported ongoing “large-scale strikes” in Tehran, while US forces broadened their operations across Iran on Sunday.

In response to attacks that Washington said destroyed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) headquarters, Iran launched missiles and drones throughout the Middle East, causing casualties in Israel and the United Arab Emirates. Early Monday, explosions were reported in Doha, Dubai, and Manama, according to AFP correspondents.

President Trump vowed revenge for the first US casualties, telling the New York Times that America and Israel could sustain strikes for four to five weeks. “It won’t be difficult. We have tremendous amounts of ammunition,” he said, adding he had three potential successors in mind to lead Iran after the war.

However, Ali Larijani, head of Tehran’s Supreme National Security Council, rejected any negotiations, tweeting that Trump’s “delusional fantasies” had plunged the region into chaos while the US feared more troop losses.

‘Most Punishing Blow’

Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Iranians to rise against their government, which has opposed Israel and the US since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. In a video address, Trump warned Iranian security forces: “Lay down your arms and receive full immunity or face certain death. It won’t be pretty.”

The Pentagon confirmed three US service members were killed and five seriously injured during the operation, dubbed “Epic Fury.” Trump said, “Sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. But America will avenge their deaths and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against, basically, civilization.”

Explosions Rock Lebanon and Israel

Early Monday, explosions rattled Beirut as residents fled southern Lebanon. In Sidon, families packed cars with mattresses tied to roofs to escape further south, AFP journalists reported.

Hezbollah, weakened by prior Israeli operations, claimed rocket and drone attacks on Israel “in retaliation for the pure blood” of Khamenei, marking the first attack since a November 2024 ceasefire.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam criticized the strikes as “irresponsible,” saying they threatened Lebanon’s safety and gave Israel excuses to continue attacks.

In Israel, Iranian missile strikes killed at least nine people in Beit Shemesh and injured dozens. Three others were hurt on a main road near Jerusalem. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian called Khamenei’s killing a “declaration of war against Muslims” and said Iran has a “legitimate duty and right to avenge the perpetrators.”

Calls for Iranians to Resist

The attacks came weeks after Iran crushed widespread protests sparked by economic hardship and demands for social freedoms. Trump urged Iranians to rise up, saying, “America is with you.”

Reza Pahlavi, son of the late shah, advised Iranians to stay vigilant while continuing “nightly chants” against the regime. After reports of Khamenei’s death, some Iranians celebrated, while pro-government demonstrations also emerged chanting “Death to America!”

Iran appointed Ayatollah Alireza Arafi to join Pezeshkian on an interim leadership council until a permanent successor is named for Khamenei.

Regional Fallout and Global Reaction

The Iranian diaspora welcomed Khamenei’s death, while protests in Pakistan left 17 dead and saw attempts to storm the US consulate in Karachi.

World leaders responded cautiously. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer allowed US access to British bases for “defensive” operations but said the UK would not participate in offensive attacks.

Iran’s initial retaliation struck Gulf states except Oman. On Sunday, drones hit Omani port Duqm, injuring a foreign worker, and three ships in the Strait of Hormuz were attacked, spiking global oil prices. Revolutionary Guards claimed to strike the USS Abraham Lincoln, though the Pentagon said the missiles “didn’t even come close.”

Trump stated US strikes destroyed nine Iranian naval vessels and partially damaged its naval headquarters. Iran’s retaliatory actions have killed at least four people and injured dozens. Inside Iran, Red Crescent reported 201 dead and hundreds injured, including Ali Shamkhani, top adviser to Khamenei, and General Mohammad Pakpour, head of the Revolutionary Guards.

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