Washington: The war launched by Israel and the United States against Iran continued for the fourth consecutive day as fresh developments emerged on the battlefield and within Iran’s leadership.
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said American forces had killed the leader of an Iranian unit allegedly involved in plotting the assassination of US president Donald Trump.
Hegseth said the operation was carried out on Tuesday but did not reveal the identity of the individual killed.
Mujtaba Khamenei emerges as possible successor
Following the reported death of Iran’s former supreme leader Ali Khamenei in the attack, his son Mojtaba Khamenei is being widely discussed as a possible successor.
Although Mojtaba Khamenei has never held an official government position, he has long been considered a close aide to his father and is believed to have significant influence in Iran’s political circles. Since the attack, he has not appeared in public and is reportedly staying at a secure undisclosed location for security reasons.
Over 1,000 deaths reported in Iran
Amid the ongoing conflict with the US and Israel, an Iranian government-linked agency released updated casualty figures. According to the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, at least 1,045 people have died in the war so far.
Officials said these figures include bodies that have been identified and prepared for burial, while the overall toll could rise as rescue operations continue.
