NEWS DESK (MNN); A senior White House official says emerging leadership figures in Iran have indicated a willingness to engage in talks with the United States following large-scale US and Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior officials.
The official, speaking anonymously, said President Donald Trump is “eventually” open to dialogue but stressed that military operations are continuing without pause. The official did not identify the Iranian figures who reportedly conveyed interest in negotiations.
Bahrain Port Fire and Regional Fallout
Footage circulating online showed a massive blaze at Salman Port in Bahrain, home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet under Central Command. Iranian and Russian outlets claimed hundreds of American personnel were killed, though US Central Command spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said no American ships have been struck since the conflict began.
In Syria, debris from an Iranian missile lightly injured four civilians — a father and his three daughters — in Ain Terma near Damascus, according to the state news agency SANA. All were treated for minor injuries.
Protests and Gulf Diplomatic Response
In Iraq, protesters marched in Baghdad mourning Khamenei’s death, leading to clashes with security forces near the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses the US Embassy. Iraqi authorities said some security personnel came under gunfire but did not return fire.
Foreign ministers from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain held an emergency virtual meeting, condemning Iranian missile attacks on their territories and Jordan. They called the strikes violations of sovereignty and warned they reserved the right to self-defense under international law.
UK Position and Evacuations
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed he approved a US request to use British bases for strikes on Iranian missile facilities but said Britain would not participate directly in offensive operations. He cited lessons learned from Iraq and emphasized defensive actions, noting Royal Air Force jets had intercepted Iranian projectiles. An Iranian strike on a base in Bahrain narrowly missed British personnel, he said.
Meanwhile, the US State Department authorized non-essential diplomats and families to leave Bahrain and Qatar, citing security concerns, and advised private citizens to reconsider travel.
Details of the Initial Strike
An Israeli military official said months of coordination and real-time intelligence enabled US and Israeli forces to simultaneously hit three locations within 60 seconds, killing Khamenei and approximately 40 senior officials, including the Revolutionary Guard chief. The official described the daylight assault as one of the most complex operations ever executed.
President Trump, in a video message, called the campaign “one of the most overwhelming military offensives the world has ever seen” and said operations would continue until US objectives are achieved. He warned that more casualties are likely and described a nuclear-armed Iran as a grave global threat.
