US And Israel Launch Pre-Emptive Strikes As Iran’s Khamenei Replaces Supreme Leader

Dawn says the US and Israel on Feb 28 launched what they described as a “pre-emptive” joint strike against Iranian targets, and it also says Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was assassinated in US-Israeli strikes with Mojtaba Khamenei replacing his father as Iran’s new supreme leader.

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Dawn

Dawn adds that Iran and the US agreed to a two-week ceasefire on April 8, that the truce was later extended indefinitely, and that it remains in place.

Khabaronline

Dawn reports that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a peace agreement between the US and Iran has been reached, with an “official signing ceremony” set for Friday, 19 June in Switzerland.

Dawn also quotes Trump authorizing the “toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz” and the “immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade,” saying “Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”

IRNA English frames the immediate military posture by quoting Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, warning that Iran’s Armed Forces have their “finger on trigger, ready to strike the enemy's heart.”

IRNA English says Abdollahi’s warning came hours after the Israeli regime bombed the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon’s capital, in violation of a ceasefire that Iran insists is central to any potential agreement between Tehran and Washington to end the war.

Roya News reports that Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, wrote on X that “Lebanon is our lifeblood, and any violation of the Islamic Republic’s red lines will not be tolerated.”

PressTV

Roya News also quotes Abdollahi saying, “Our fingers are on the trigger ready to shoot the enemy's heart,” in remarks carried by state media.

Dawn reports that Iran’s state broadcaster said flights at airports in the west of the country were cancelled until further notice after Tehran warned it would respond to an Israeli attack on Beirut.

Dawn further says UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticised Israel’s strikes on Beirut at a “crucial moment” in peace.

Iran International quotes GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi saying the Iranian regime’s targeting of civilian facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait reflects an effort to destabilize the region, describing it as “terrorist acts” and a “direct threat to the region's security and stability.”

“According to Khabaronline, citing Al Jazeera, in the latest Israeli threats against Lebanon, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's Minister of Internal Security, again urged Netanyahu to adopt a tougher policy toward Hezbollah”

Khabaronline

Iran International adds that CENTCOM announced Iran launched seven ballistic missiles toward Kuwait and Bahrain on Saturday morning, June 6, with American forces intercepting six of them and the seventh missile not reaching its target.

Iran International reports Qatari and UAE statements condemning Iran’s attacks, with Qatar calling them a “clear violation of the sovereignty of the two countries” and the UAE ministry saying the attacks threaten Bahrain’s security and stability.

Dawn says Trump ordered the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and removal of the US naval blockade after he declared the Iran peace deal “complete,” while also reporting that mediators will facilitate a series of meetings this week ahead of technical talks.

IRNA English describes Abdollahi’s message as tying Iran’s enhanced combat, defense, missile, naval, drone, and air defense capabilities to orders from Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and to a warning that any enemy misstep will be met with a decisive and unforgettable response.