A plume of smoke rises following reported explosions in Tehran.
President Trump said more U.S. service members will likely be killed in the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran after the Pentagon confirmed that three U.S. service members were killed and at least five were seriously wounded. In an address posted on Truth Social, Trump called the fallen “true American patriots” and said America would avenge their deaths, accusing Iran of waging war “against civilization.” He added, “And sadly, there will likely be more before it ends.”
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the casualties Sunday, the first American deaths since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Saturday. A U.S. official said the troops killed were ground-based forces stationed in Kuwait. The military said several other service members sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions and were returning to duty.
CENTCOM said its operation, dubbed “Epic Fury,” struck an Iranian Jamaran-class corvette that was sinking at a pier on the Gulf of Oman. The military also said U.S. B-2 stealth bombers armed with 2,000-pound bombs hit Iran’s ballistic missile facilities Saturday night. CENTCOM said over 1,000 targets have been struck. Trump additionally claimed U.S. forces had sunk nine Iranian naval ships and “largely destroyed” Iran’s naval headquarters; CENTCOM would not confirm that claim. Trump warned more attacks were coming and wrote on Truth Social that targeted Iranian ships “will soon be floating at the bottom of the sea, also!”
The war’s scope widened across the region. Israel launched fresh attacks in Iran Sunday, with explosions heard in Tehran. Israel’s military said it struck targets belonging to “the Iranian terror regime” in central Tehran and conducted large-scale strikes to establish air superiority. Iranian state media reported that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in air strikes targeting his office in Tehran. Iran said it established a three-person temporary leadership council to govern until a panel of Shia clerics selects a new supreme leader. Trump said potential new Iranian leaders indicated willingness to talk, and he plans to engage them eventually.
Iranian officials reported civilian casualties, with the foreign ministry spokesperson telling NPR that 158 students were killed at an elementary school in Minab and that hospitals in central Tehran had been hit. Iran blamed Israel for the school strike; Israel said it was not aware of operations in that area. A CENTCOM spokesperson said the U.S. was aware of reports of civilian harm and was investigating, stressing the protection of civilians and saying the U.S. does not target civilians.
Mourners packed Tehran’s Enghelab Square and other public spaces to mark Khamenei’s death. Videos from some cities showed crowds chanting and celebrating; at least one account described security forces shooting a protester. NPR could not independently verify all footage.
Across the Middle East, security tightened and air defenses were on alert. Iraq blocked entrances to Baghdad’s Green Zone and deployed riot police against militias. Jordan reported air-raid sirens and intercepted missiles. Iran targeted luxury hotels and high-rises believed to house U.S. personnel, and drone strikes and other projectiles damaged Dubai’s international airport and the Burj Al Arab; airports in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait were also hit. Iran threatened a major wave of attacks on Israel and U.S. bases, vowed revenge for Khamenei’s death, and announced it was closing the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s foreign ministry said the conflict was an “unjust war” imposed on Iran and claimed it had no problem with the American people.
In Israel, at least nine people were killed and others wounded in an Iranian missile attack near Jerusalem, according to Israeli officials. OPEC met to consider boosting production to prevent severe oil-price spikes if Gulf supplies are disrupted. Trump warned Iran against further retaliation, saying the U.S. would respond with “a force that has never been seen before,” and told CNBC that military operations were “ahead of schedule.”
Daniel Estrin contributed from Tel Aviv; Carrie Kahn contributed from Istanbul.