The death toll from US-Israeli strikes against Iran, which began on February 28 and resulted in the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, rose to 787, state media reported on Tuesday, citing the Iranian Red Crescent.
According to Israeli intelligence estimates, over 1,000 members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have been killed so far in the joint strikes on Iranian territory, Israeli media reported.
The US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, now in its fourth consecutive day, has intensified into one of the most serious Middle East conflicts in recent decades, triggering widespread attacks, diplomatic fallout and deepening regional instability.
The confrontation began after US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory, which targeted what Washington described as strategic military and government leadership infrastructure inside Iran. The strikes have claimed the lives of top military and political leaders, including Khamenei and other members of his family.
US officials justified the strikes as necessary to degrade Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear capabilities and to preempt imminent threats. Israel said its forces delivered “severe blows” to Iran’s command and control networks and key Revolutionary Guard facilities.
In response, Iran has launched a series of missile and drone attacks on American military sites and regional allies across the Gulf. Satellite images indicate that at least six US military locations in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait and the UAE have been struck, causing structural damage.
A dramatic escalation occurred on Tuesday morning when Iranian drones struck the US Embassy in Riyadh, according to the Saudi defence ministry. Two drones caused a limited fire and some material damage, though there were no reported injuries. The embassy issued shelter-in-place notices and urged US citizens to avoid diplomatic compounds amid ongoing threats.
Iran’s attacks have also extended to other Gulf nations, with missiles and drones targeting civilian infrastructure, airports and commercial hubs in the United Arab Emirates and beyond. Debris from intercepted projectiles has caused casualties and property damage in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and multiple Gulf states have temporarily closed their airspace, sparking global travel chaos.
The conflict’s economic impact has been significant. Tehran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, warning that any vessel attempting passage would be set ablaze. This move has already disrupted international energy markets and shipping routes.
As of the fourth day, the conflict shows no signs of abating. The US, Israel and Iran continue to exchange military actions, with each side asserting its strategic objectives. Civilian populations across the region remain on high alert, and international calls for de-escalation are growing amid fears of a wider regional war.
