US Strikes 90 Iranian Targets as Khamenei Is Buried

The United States military and Iran have exchanged strikes in an escalating conflict that continued uninterrupted even as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was being laid to rest. US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed it struck 90 Iranian targets in the latest round of attacks, while Iran's health ministry reported 14 people killed since fighting began on Tuesday.

Centcom Confirms Sweeping Strikes

The 90 targets hit by US forces represent one of the most significant single rounds of strikes since the confrontation between Washington and Tehran began. Centcom stated the strikes were intended to degrade Iran's military capacity, though Iranian authorities condemned the attacks as acts of aggression during a period of national mourning.

The Iranian health ministry's death toll of 14 since Tuesday underscores the human cost of the conflict, with reports indicating civilians among those killed. Iran has vowed to respond to the attacks, raising fears of further escalation in one of the world's most volatile regions.

Khamenei's Funeral and Iran's Political Transition

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic of Iran since 1989, was buried as the military confrontation raged on. His death marks a historic turning point for Iran, raising profound questions about the country's leadership succession and the future direction of its foreign policy.

The timing of the US strikes — coinciding with Khamenei's state funeral — has deepened the crisis. Iranian officials and regional allies expressed outrage at what they described as a deliberate provocation during the mourning period.

Hormuz Shipping Disrupted

The conflict has had immediate consequences for global energy markets. Data shows a sharp fall in oil, gas, and cargo ships transiting the US-backed route through the Strait of Hormuz following the week's attacks. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical chokepoints for global energy trade, with roughly 20% of the world's oil passing through it daily.

International observers are urging de-escalation, with several world leaders calling for emergency diplomatic talks to prevent the crisis from spiraling into a broader Middle East conflict.