Iran starts looking for a new leader; US military says three soldiers killed – National
The US says three members of its forces have been killed as its and Israeli forces continue their offensive against Iran, which led to the death of the country’s top leader on Saturday.
In a message to X on Sunday, US Central Command said three service members were “killed in action,” and five others were seriously wounded.
“Several others received minor cuts and bruises – and are in the process of being rehabilitated,” US Central Command wrote. “Major battles continue and our response efforts continue.”
The American victims are the first in what is called Operation Epic Fury, in which Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed. His death was first announced by US President Donald Trump and confirmed by state media.
Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkin, said in a recorded message that the leadership council had “started its work” to find a new leader.
Iran targets various countries in the Middle East
The selection of the new supreme leader comes 24 hours after Trump said on Truth Social that the purpose of the “major” operation was to ensure that Tehran does not get a nuclear weapon and to “eliminate threats from the Iranian regime.”
Trump also called on the Iranian people to “take over your government,” adding that it “could be your only chance in generations.”
The first US and Israeli strikes began on Saturday morning and appeared to target areas in the city of Tehran, including areas linked to the Iranian leadership.
In response, Tehran launched missiles at Israel and several Middle Eastern countries, including Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.
State media in the UAE reported that explosives from an Iranian attack on Abu Dhabi killed two people, and debris from an aerial crossing caused fires in the city’s main port and in front of the Burj Al Arab hotel.
Get the latest country news
For news that affects Canada and the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you as they happen.
Saudi Arabia also confirmed the attack on its capital Riyadh and its eastern region, but said it had been successfully contained.
World leaders are responding to the strikes
Several world leaders and ministers have spoken in response to Iran’s attacks on various countries in the Middle East, emphasizing unity during these strikes.
“We stand in full solidarity with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan following yesterday’s strikes by Iran,” European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen said on the X website. “With Khamenei gone, there is renewed hope for the Iranian people.
“At the same time, this period has a real risk of instability that could turn the region into violence.”
Von Der Leyen went on to say that the European Union is working with “key actors” and regional partners to ensure stability and security, and protect people’s lives.
Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand echoed Von Der Leyen’s statement, drawing a line from X condemning the strikes that have hit countries, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
“Canada will continue to work with allies and partners to support stability and strengthen collective security,” Anand wrote.
Prime Minister Mark Carney on Saturday called for the protection of civilians as the war intensified.
Strikes on Iran will continue: Israel
Tehran vowed to retaliate on Sunday.
“You crossed our red line and you have to pay the price,” said the Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, in a televised address on Sunday. “We will bring such painful blows that you too will be moved to supplicate.”
The US president said in his post on Truth Social that any retaliation would be met with further escalation.
“THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT,” Trump said in a social media post. “IF THEY DO, WE WILL BEAT THEM WITH AN ARMY THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE!”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday his country would have a “non-stop train” of strikes against military and leadership targets in Iran.
Trump also said the heavy bombing would continue “without interruption for a week or, as long as necessary.”
–with files from Global News’ Prisha Dev, Uday Rana, Aaron D’Andrea, Rachel Goodman, and The Associated Press
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
