The Middle East conflict escalated sharply over the past 24 hours following the targeted assassinations of senior Iranian figures Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani in Israeli airstrikes on Tehran, marking one of the most significant blows to Iran’s leadership since the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei when the war began.
Israeli officials confirmed responsibility for the strikes, describing them as part of a broader campaign to dismantle Iran’s military and political command structure. Israel’s defense leadership said the killings were aimed at “eliminating key architects of Iran’s regional operations,” underscoring what analysts describe as deep intelligence penetration inside Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump praised the killings, claiming they targeted individuals responsible for repression and instability. He reiterated his stance that Iran posed a major threat, while continuing to push allies for support in the widening conflict. However, there appears little appetite for NATO states or other U.S. allies to join the conflict triggered by joint U.S.-Israeli operations.
Iran initially issued conflicting reports on Larijani’s fate but later formally confirmed both deaths, leading to nationwide mourning and heightening calls for retaliation. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and senior government officials vowed revenge, with military leaders warning of a “decisive and regrettable” response against Israel and its allies.
The subsequent retaliation saw Tehran launch a wave of missile and drone strikes across the region, targeting Israel and multiple Gulf states. Interceptions were reported in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, though some projectiles landed near strategic sites. In Israel, at least two people were killed in fresh strikes, while Gulf nations reported damage and heightened alert levels. In Abu Dhabi, the fresh strikes resulted in the death of a Pakistani man due to falling debris.
Casualty figures across the wider conflict continue to rise. Total deaths have surpassed 2,000 since the war began, with hundreds more reported injured or killed in Lebanon alone amid ongoing Israeli bombardment. In the Gulf, sustained Iranian attacks have killed and injured civilians and military personnel, adding to the regional toll.
In Washington, the crisis has triggered internal dissent. A senior counter-terrorism official, identified as National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent, resigned in protest, citing concerns over the direction of U.S. policy and alleged external influence from Israel and its American lobby on decision-making. He maintained there was no imminent threat to the U.S. from Iran, adding he could not in good conscience support a conflict that risked sending a new generation to war.
Meanwhile, the energy crisis linked to the conflict has deepened. The Strait of Hormuz—through which roughly 20% of global oil supply passes—remains effectively closed or severely restricted due to Iranian threats and attacks on ships. Tanker traffic has plummeted, with many vessels stranded or rerouted, pushing global oil prices above $100 per barrel and intensifying fuel shortages worldwide.
Efforts are underway to establish limited “safe maritime corridors,” but no comprehensive agreement has been reached. Iran has continued to warn against unauthorized passage, while the U.S. and its allies weigh naval escort operations amid reluctance from some NATO partners.
As the conflict enters a new and more dangerous phase, the assassinations of Larijani and Soleimani appear to have hardened positions on all sides, raising fears of a prolonged regional war with global economic consequences.