Israeli forces expanded their bombardment of Iran overnight, striking fuel depots near Tehran, while Bahrain said an Iranian attack had damaged one of its desalination plants, signalling a widening assault on vital infrastructure across the region.
As the fighting escalated on day nine of the US–Israeli assault on Iran, Tehran moved closer to naming a new Supreme Leader after the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with every indication suggesting his powerful son could take charge. Israel's military threatened to kill any replacement for Khamenei, while US President Donald Trump said the war might only end once Iran's military and rulers had been wiped out.
For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East
From Iran having chosen their next Supreme Leader to the continuing attacks on the UAE, Bahrain, and other Arab states, here are five latest updates from the war zone to know this hour:
1. The successor to the late Ali Khamenei has been decided by the body of clerics entrusted to elect the next Supreme Leader of Iran, Western media reports claimed, citing their counterparts in the Islamic Republic. While Israel has vowed to target him next, whoever that may be, the name has not been disclosed by the 88-member Assembly of Experts, CNN said in a report.
2. Kuwait said that two Interior Ministry officers were killed in Iranian strikes while "performing duties". However, no further information was revealed, including whether they were killed by drone strikes or missiles, or where they met their end. Earlier reports had said that Kuwait’s air defences have been intercepting Iranian missiles and UAVs that have breached the country’s airspace.
3. Following Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran’s oil refineries and storage facilities, black cloud formations were observed over Tehran, a report said. Residents of the capital told media that the raindrops which fell in the morning were blackish in colour with oil-like residues, Manorama Online reported, citing news articles.
4. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) said that they detected 17 ballistic missiles and 117 drones fired by Iran towards its territory, of which 16 missiles and 113 drones were intercepted. The remaining fell into the sea, the UAE said. The total casualties across the Emirates in the war now stand at four, who were identified as citizens of Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
5. The United States and Israel have broken international law with their attacks on Iran, Swiss Defence Minister Martin Pfister said in an interview published on Sunday, becoming the latest European leader to raise concerns about the conflict. "The Federal Council is of the opinion that the attack on Iran constitutes a violation of international law," Pfister told SonntagsZeitung, referring to the Swiss cabinet. "In our view, it constitutes a violation of the prohibition of violence," he added, calling on all parties involved to halt the fighting to protect the civilian population.