Mojtaba Khamenei chosen as Iran's next supreme leader, Iranian state media reports
He is the son of assassinated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israel strikes attack targeting military and government sites, officials said.
Iranian state television confirmed that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was among those killed by airstrikes in Tehran on the first day of strikes. His successor is yet to be named.
Iran is responding to the operation with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, regional U.S. bases and multiple Gulf nations. Israel is also intensifying its long-running strike campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.
(Read previous Iran live updates here.)
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Key Headlines
- Iran’s near-total internet blackout continues, tracker says
- Israel warns of strikes in Beirut's southern suburbs
- Israel says its working to intercept Iranian missiles
- Iranian missiles, drones targeting UAE, ministry says
- US orders evacuation of non-emergency government employees from Saudi Arabia
- More missile and drone attacks reported in the region
IDF says over 400 targets struck in Iran on Friday
The Israel Defense Forces said more than 400 targets, including ballistic missile launchers and drone storage facilities, were struck in several areas of Iran on Friday.
Three command centers used by Hezbollah and one used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Air Force were among the targets attacked by Israel on Friday, the IDF said.
Trump to attend dignified transfer on Saturday, White House says
On Saturday, President Donald Trump will attend the dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base for the six service members killed in an Iranian retaliatory strike in Kuwait, a White House official confirmed.
“We grieve for these American patriots and their families as we continue the righteous mission for which they gave their lives. President Trump intends to attend the dignified transfer of these American heroes to stand in grief alongside their families,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday.
Rep. Zach Nuun, R-Iowa, said he’ll also attend.
-ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart
Trump says Iran doesn't need to become democratic state, open to religious leader
President Donald Trump elaborated on his vision for Iran’s new leadership in an interview with CNN on Friday, saying Iran does not need to become a democratic state and that he’s open to a religious leader.
“There has to be a leader that’s going be fair and just,” he continued. “Do a great job. Treat the United States and Israel well, and treat the other countries in the Middle East -- they’re all our partners.”
The president also discussed Iranian leadership with Politico on Thursday, saying he is going to have a “big impact” in selecting their next leader. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed last weekend in the US.-Israel attacks.
“Now they’re looking at the son. The reason the father wouldn’t give it to the son is they say he’s incompetent,” Trump told Politico, referring to a son of Khamenei.
Trump also boasted about the military operation in Iran, telling Politico the U.S. is “being surgical” and that the U.S. has “unlimited supply of weapons.”
-ABC News’ Emily Chang
Lebanon death toll reaches 217
At least 217 people have been killed and 798 others have been injured in Lebanon since Monday, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
After Hezbollah said it fired rockets against Israel, the Israel Defense Forces said it started striking targets in Beirut and southern Lebanon.