- US President Trump warned Iran of unprecedented force if attacks continue
- Iran vowed revenge for Supreme Leader Khamenei's killing in US-Israel strikes
- Iran launched missile attacks on Gulf regions after Khamenei's death
US President Donald Trump has issued a tit-for-tat warning to Iran, asserting that he will hit Tehran with a force "that has never been seen before" if it continues to launch attacks. The Republican leader's warning came as Iran vowed to avenge the killing of its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and launched fresh attacks on US and Israeli bases. LIVE UPDATES
"Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before. They better not do that, however, because if they do, we will hit them with a force that has never been seen before," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Tensions in the Middle East continued to escalate as Iran vowed to avenge the killing of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, in the joint Israel-US strikes.
The US, along with Israel, launched 'Operation Epic Fury' against Iran yesterday after stalled nuclear talks and claims that Tehranhad resumed its nuclear activities. The strikes targeted many Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran. Along with Khamenei, his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter also died, reported Iranian media.
Iranian media reports said that Khamenei was killed in his 'compound' and the photo of his body was seen by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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Hours after the joint Israel-US attack, Iran launched missiles - many of which hit Gulf regions including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Bahrain.
Trump on Khamenei's killing
Trump has repeatedly justified US military action against Iran as necessary to "defend the American people" and neutralise what his administration calls "imminent threats" from Tehran's missile and nuclear programs.
Shortly after Khamenei's killing, Trump said it was now "much easier" to hold talks with Iran.
He also called the 86-year-old Iranian leader - who ruled Iran since 1989 - "one of the most evil people in the history". "This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS," Trump claimed.
Khamenei was never publicly recorded as having named a successor. However, the US President said he knows "exactly who" can lead Iran but refused to name them.
"I know exactly who, but I can't tell you. There are some good candidates," he told CBS News.
