Trump warns Iran of “unprecedented” military response after escalation

Washington: The Middle East has erupted following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a US and Israeli attack. Iran has launched attacks against US allies in the Middle East. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has issued a new threat to Iran, threatening to launch an attack on Tehran in a manner never seen before. Trump's threat comes after the IRGC's statement from Tehran, which stated that Iran would launch its biggest attack yet. Trump said that if such an attack were to occur against the US and Israel, Iran would face a very significant force.

Trump wrote on Truth Social, "Iran has just said that they will launch a very powerful attack today, like never before." However, it would be better if they don't do so, because if they do, we will strike them with a force never seen before.' Earlier, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had threatened to carry out the deadliest attack in Iran's history to punish Khamenei's killers (the US and Israel).

Death of Iran's Supreme Leader

Iran's Supreme Leader was killed in a US and Israeli attack on Saturday. Iranian state media confirmed this on Sunday morning, saying the Supreme Leader was martyred in Tehran while performing his duties. Several top officials were also killed along with Khamenei. Iran's Defense Minister and the Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC were also killed.

White House Calls Attack Justified

The White House defended US President Donald Trump's decision to launch a deadly attack on Iran. Senior administration officials said that intelligence related to missile threats and nuclear activities left the US with "no choice." A senior administration official described Operation "Epic Fury" as a preemptive and defensive action, not a retaliatory one, saying the president decided he would not sit idly by and allow US forces in the region to face conventional missile attacks.

Not Waiting for an Iranian Attack

Speaking on condition of anonymity, officials said the immediate concern was Iran's conventional missile capability in the southern region and its long-standing desire to acquire nuclear weapons. According to one official, intelligence indicated that Iran could potentially use those missiles preemptively. The official said waiting for a first strike could have resulted in "significantly higher" casualties and damage. Another senior administration official said, "We will not be held hostage by them, nor will we allow them to attack us first."

Officials accused Iran of attacking civilian infrastructure in retaliation. One official said they have now attacked several civilian sites unrelated to military sites. They have attacked a hotel, they have attacked the airport in Kuwait, they have attacked hotels in Abu Dhabi.