Israeli Defense Minister Katz. Photo Thanassis Stavrakis / AP Photo / dpa / picture alliance.
On Wednesday, March 4, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a warning that any new leader of Iran who continues the line of their predecessors will become "an unconditional target for elimination." According to him, this applies to anyone who threatens the security of Israel, the United States, and neighboring countries, as well as those who oppress the Iranian people, as reported by DW.
These threats came amid unconfirmed reports that on March 3, a new Supreme Leader of Iran was elected by the Assembly of Experts. According to the Iranian opposition channel Iranian International and DW, citing their sources, it was Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, Tehran denied this information.
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On February 28, Israel and the United States conducted strikes against Iran. Donald Trump confirmed the intention to destroy the nuclear program of the Islamic Republic.In response to these actions, Iran began attacking territories of Israel and other countries in the Middle East where American military bases and facilities are located. Strikes were carried out on Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai (UAE), as well as on Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).
As a result of the American-Israeli operation, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed, and his wife, Mansoureh Khojasteh, died from her injuries.
Donald Trump indicated that military actions in Iran would last about four weeks. Iran, in turn, declared jihad against the United States and Israel, emphasizing that there would be no negotiations.
The conflict in the Middle East is impacting global events, including in Kyrgyzstan. As a result of the current situation in the UAE, thousands of tourists have been stranded. Contact information for embassies and consulates for citizens of Kyrgyzstan abroad can be found here.
