*Trump says he knows exactly the next leader
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed after a joint US-Israeli attack that President Donald Trump said was aimed at overturning Tehran’s government.
His death plunges the Middle East into uncertainty, with questions being asked about who will lead the country, how Iran’s proxies will respond and how much more retaliation the US, Israel, and its regional neighbors can expect.
Trump said there are “some good candidates” to lead Iran. Asked by CBS News who he thought was in charge, Trump said: “I know exactly who, but I can’t tell you.”
Trump said the US attack would continue with heavy bombing throughout the week.
Here are the latest major developments:
Children killed: One strike killed over 100 students at an elementary school for girls in Iran, according to state media. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said at least 133 civilians have been killed across Iran.
List of slain leaders: Israel’s military shared a list of other senior Iranian officials it said were killed. Iranian state media confirmed the country’s top general, Major General Mohammad Pakpour, and a key adviser to the supreme leader, Ali Shamkhani, were killed.
Oil chokepoint disrupted: The strikes on Iran raise concerns that retaliations could disrupt the oil trade, which is heavily dependent on the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, which controls the strait, also controls the world’s third-largest proven oil reserves. The strait is already seeing disruption.
Retaliation roils region: Iran’s attacks rocked densely populated areas that are not usually directly impacted by regional conflict, and disrupted air travel. Blasts and air raid sirens were heard by CNN teams in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Israel.
Attacks disrupt Ramadan: The conflict comes during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. CNN staff on the ground in Dubai heard blasts between calls to prayer from mosques in the city.
Internet blackout: Iran has been offline since the attacks, according to internet monitoring experts at NetBlocks.
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.
