US-Iran war as it happened: Trump orders Iran to back down in fiery post; nine killed as hundreds storm US consulate

Hello and thank you for reading our live coverage of the war between the US and Iran. Here’s a summary of the latest:

• Israel and the US attacked Iran in a joint military strike on Saturday, killing the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and striking targets in Tehran and other major cities. Iran retaliated by launching missiles at Israel and countries in the region with US military interests.
• Khamenei had ruled for 36 years. Members of his family and other important figures in the regime were also killed.
• The supreme leader’s death has been met with happiness by many in the Iranian diaspora in Australia and around the world. Social media footage verified by The New York Times showed some Iranians celebrating in the country, although government supporters have mourned his death publicly.
• In recent weeks US President Donald Trump had suggested an American attack on Iran was an option unless Iran agreed to end its nuclear program.
• Israel has continued to attack Iran, as Tehran vows to take revenge on the US. Trump said he would “hit them [Iran] with a force they have never seen before” if they attacked America.
• At least 200 people have been killed in Iran, state media said. In Israel, one woman in her 50s has died. Nine people were killed in Karachi, Pakistan, after hundreds of pro-Iran protesters attempted to storm the US consulate.
• More than 20,000 flights have been delayed due to the war, particularly in the busy regional hubs of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Between 3000 and 4000 Australians have had their travel plans thrown into chaos by the conflict
• The war looks set to create the most significant disruption for gas markets since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine upended global trade four years ago.

Continue to follow our live coverage here.

A massive explosion has rocked Iran’s capital, sending a huge plume of smoke into the sky and shaking the ground.

While the target was unclear, the Israeli military said it was aiming at the heart of the city. The blast appeared to hit an area that is home to the country’s police headquarters and Iranian state television.

The Israeli military added that while the first day of operations was focused on clearing the path to Tehran, the second day of strikes was targeted at central Tehran.

AP

At least nine people have been killed and more than a dozen injured in Karachi, Pakistan, after pro-Iran Shiite Muslims tried to storm the US consulate.

Hundreds of people attempted to storm the consulate in the port city, smashing windows and setting a motorcycle on fire after the US and Israel attacked Iran and killed the country’s supreme leader.

Police and paramilitary forces used batons and fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, police official Mohammad Jawad said.

With AP

We have just recorded a special episode of The Morning Edition podcast with host Samantha Selinger-Morris and international and political editor Peter Hartcher.

With the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Hartcher discusses who is likely to rule Iran now. And if this will lead to a wider war.

He said the “$64 billion question is … whether this remains a limited series of aggressions against the Iranian regime, or whether it eventually amounts to the removal of the ayatollahs and the Islamic Republic that has controlled the country in a vice-like dictatorship since 1978”.

Around the world, many in the Iranian diaspora have celebrated the death of the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

While there have also been celebrations in Iran, some have mourned Khamenei’s death at pro-government gatherings in Tehran. Supporters of the regime in the region have also mourned his death.

Hundreds of people stormed the US consulate in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi on Sunday, smashing windows after the US and Israel attacked Iran and killed the country’s supreme leader.

Police and paramilitary forces used batons and fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, police official Mohammad Jawad said.

Police said at least 6 killed and others were wounded in clashes between protesters and security forces.

AP

Millions of people lived their entire lives under the iron rule of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

When reports of his demise began to trickle in, videos from inside Iran began to flood social media showing scenes of celebration on the streets of some cities and towns.

The reaction by the authorities was denial, then mourning. Iran’s state television confirmed Khamenei’s death about 5am (Iranian time). A news presenter delivered the statement with a trembling voice as the channel placed a black banner in the corner of the screen and broadcast recitations of Koranic verses – a visual cue traditionally used to signal national mourning.

Some time later, images from Tehran showed people on the streets mourning at what appeared to be pro-government events, some carrying portraits of Khamenei. By contrast, footage from other parts of the country verified by The New York Times showed cars honking and people dancing and chanting in jubilation – even as the country’s political future post-Khamenei remained highly uncertain.

Bloomberg