Israeli military forces targeted a gathering of Iran’s Supreme Council on Tuesday while officials were convening to select a replacement for the deceased Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a high-ranking Israeli official revealed.
“Israel launched the strike at the moment they were tallying votes for the supreme leader’s appointment,” the official stated.
The attack highlighted the extent of Israeli intelligence infiltration within Tehran and represented one of the most significant escalations so far in the combined U.S.-Israeli initiative focused on dismantling Iran’s political and military leadership from the highest levels downward.
This occurred as seemed to grow more hollowed out.
Over 40 of Iran’s top leaders — Khamenei included — have been killed since the operation started, with 49 wiped out in the on the early hours of Saturday, shattering the regime’s command structure and delivering a devastating blow to its military leadership and command-and-control systems.
Israeli analysts calculated that over 1,000 enemy fighters have died inside Iran since the U.S. initiated Operation Epic Fury and Israel launched its corresponding campaign, Operation Roaring Lion, on Saturday. This figure is based on Israel’s most recent battle damage evaluation, per a senior Israeli official.
Israeli Prime Minister described the conflict as part of a wider endeavor to neutralize Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear aspirations.
“These ballistic missiles—these weapons of mass destruction—they used them to bomb all these countries,” Netanyahu stated. “And once they develop these ballistic missiles further, they will attempt to, and eventually will, bomb you. This is what President Trump recognized.”
Vice President noted that the administration had established a clear, narrow goal for the operation.
“There’s absolutely no way that will let this country enter a multi-year conflict with no clear end or purpose,” Vance explained. “He has defined the objective as ensuring Iran does not possess a nuclear weapon and must make a long-term commitment to never attempt to rebuild its nuclear capabilities.”
The entered its fourth day on Tuesday, showing no signs of abating.
President Donald Trump announced that the plan was ahead of schedule due to the early removal of Iran’s top leaders.
The U.S. advised American citizens to depart 14 countries throughout the Middle East as Iran’s counterattacks grew more intense. Additionally, the State Department shut down two embassies in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
The Gulf Cooperation Council issued a warning to Iran, stating it would take “all necessary steps,” including potential military action, in reaction to Tehran’s missile and drone strikes.