Tehran: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned of an imminent and “most devastating offensive operation” targeting Israel and US military positions in the region, hours after Iranian state-linked media reported the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes on Tehran.

According to Iran’s Fars news agency, the IRGC said the operation would begin “in just moments” and would strike the “occupied territories and American terrorist bases” across the Middle East.

Also read | Did Khamenei die in his office? Reports detail Supreme Leader’s final moments

Was Khamenei killed in the Tehran strike?

The warning comes after multiple Iranian outlets reported that Khamenei was killed at his central Tehran compound during an overnight bombardment. State broadcaster IRIB earlier said the Supreme Leader had “reached martyrdom,” while authorities announced 40 days of national mourning.

Where did the strike take place?

Satellite imagery released by Airbus showed thick black smoke rising from the fortified compound near Tehran University, with several buildings inside the complex appearing heavily damaged. The site serves as both the office and residence of the Supreme Leader and is considered a key decision-making hub of Iran’s theocratic leadership.

What were Khamenei’s reported final moments?

Iranian media reports said Khamenei was inside his office “performing his assigned duties” at the time of the strike. Western outlets, citing US and Israeli sources, reported that the attack may have coincided with a high-level meeting of senior security officials.

Also read | 1 dead, 7 injured at Abu Dhabi Airport amid Iranian strikes: What we know so far

What has the IRGC said about retaliation?

In a lengthy statement carried by Fars, the IRGC paid tribute to the Supreme Leader and vowed retaliation, saying:

“We extend our condolences and congratulations on the proud martyrdom of the devout scholar, the standard-bearer of the martyrs of the Islamic Revolution… Imam Khamenei (may God’s mercy be upon him)… to the Muslim Ummah… and the great nation of Iran.”

“We have lost a great leader… unparalleled in his era… His martyrdom at the hands of the most wicked terrorists… is a sign of the righteousness of this great leader.”

“The criminal and terrorist act of the malicious governments of the United States and the Zionist regime… will be met with severe, decisive and regret-inducing punishment.”

The statement added that the IRGC, Iran’s armed forces and the Basij militia would “powerfully continue the path” of Khamenei and deliver a “lesson-giving punishment to aggressors.”