On 28 Feb, Israel and the US launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran. The attack was unilateral, without provocation, and took place while talks between the US and Iran were still on. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who was conducting the talks, said on X, ‘I am dismayed. Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined...I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war.’ Right after the first attack in which a primary school in Minab was hit, killing 165 girls plus staff, Iran started bombing Israel and the US military assets in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Kuwait, causing significant damage. On 1 Mar, Iranian media declared the Supreme Leader of Iran, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, dead. Iran described Khamenei as a shahid (martyr) and announced a 40-day mourning. US President Donald Trump said, ‘Khamenei, one of the most evil people in history, is dead’ and described the killing as ‘the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country’. The US and Israel claimed Iran under Khamenei was a repressive, anti-women state. The provocation for the attack was that Iran is enriching uranium to make nuclear bombs. However, after Khamenei's death, Iran’s retaliation has increased while the US and Israel continue to bomb Iran, destroying hospitals and other civilian facilities. The Iranian Red Crescent said at least 550 people have died and 130 cities have come under attack. Notably, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Israel on 25–26 Feb where he condemned the Hamas attack on 7 Oct 2023, but refrained from mentioning the Gaza genocide carried out by Israel. He received a freshly minted Medal of Knesset. Modi has also not issued a statement on Khamenei’s death, even though Iran has been India’s long-standing ally. The Indian National Congress has criticized Modi’s visit, saying it ‘creates a perception of endorsement of the military attacks’. The bombings have disrupted flights in the Gulf region, leaving thousands of Panjabis stranded. Panjab’s political leaders across parties have urged the Indian government to bring back over 10M Indians who live and work in the Gulf countries (earlier coverage).
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