Mojtaba Khamenei Orders First Missile Strikes on Israel as Supreme Leader

According to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB and reports from AFP, the strike was characterized as part of the "30th wave of Operation True Promise 4." This direct military action marks a major escalation just nine days after the death of the previous leader, Ali Khamenei, in joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes.

The offensive featured a symbolic display of loyalty from the Iranian military, with state media broadcasting images of a projectile bearing the slogan, "At Your Command, Sayyid Mojtaba." The strikes reportedly targeted northern Israeli sites and central areas, including Rishon LeZion, where a woman was injured by falling debris. Additionally, Iranian drones and missiles targeted regional hubs hosting U.S. forces, with explosions reported near major bases in Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) responded almost immediately, launching a fresh wave of airstrikes against "regime infrastructure" in central Iran and Hezbollah positions in Beirut. While Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment was intended to ensure continuity within the Islamic Republic's power structure, the immediate transition to offensive operations signals a hardline military stance. International analysts suggest that this first strike under the new leadership effectively closes the door on immediate diplomatic de-escalation, as both Tehran and Washington remain entrenched in their wartime positions.