Several senior Iranian clerics, including Hossein Nouri Hamedani and Naser Makarem Shirazi, have issued fatwas calling on Muslims to avenge the killing of Ali Khamenei amid escalating conflict with the U.S. and Israel.

Another cleric described the U.S.-Israeli campaign as a “barbaric and vicious war” and warned of broader regional consequences.

Explosions were reported in Tehran as Israel and Iran exchanged missile and air strikes, with Israel activating air defenses against incoming fire.

The fighting has expanded across the region, with reported strikes in Lebanon and drone attacks on U.S. diplomatic facilities in the Gulf, while casualties continue to rise on all sides, the Express has reported.

Donald Trump warned the conflict could last weeks, as hundreds have reportedly been killed in Iran and additional deaths confirmed in Israel and among U.S. forces.