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Iran's Supreme Leader Killed in Strikes; Sirens Sound in Tel Aviv as CNN Crew Seeks Refuge; Dozens Dead After U.S.-Israel Attack Hit Iranian Girls' School. Aired 3-4a ET

Aired March 01, 2026 - 03:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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BECKY ANDERSON, CNN ANCHOR: I am Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi. Let's get straight to our breaking news. It is 11:30 in the morning in Tehran, and Sunday, March the 1st is already shaping up to be an historic day there and across the region. We begin with escalating threats from what is left of the Iranian regime, as one of Iran's most powerful figures is vowing a, quote, much stronger reaction from his country's armed forces.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALI LARIJANI, IRANIAN SECRETARY OF THE SUPREME NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL: The Americans have stabbed the Iranian people in the heart, and we will step them and their heart. The reaction from our armed forces will be much stronger.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Trump reacting to Iran's heightened threats, posting, quote, Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have hit before. They better not do that, however, because if they do, we will hit them with a force that has never been seen before.

Let's get you up to speed on the context for these latest statements. President Donald Trump says, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died following massive strikes on Iran Saturday morning. He was reportedly killed in his compound in the capital, Tehran. Iranian State media reports the country's top general and a key adviser to the late supreme leader have also been killed along with Iran's defense minister and the chief of staff for its armed forces. These are extremely significant deaths. President Trump says he knows exactly who he wants to lead Iran next, but wouldn't say who.

Well, we are covering this story from across the region, as you would expect us to. Paula Hancocks standing by a few in Dubai. First, let's get you to Oren Liebermann in Tel Aviv.

And, Oren, I know overnight there have been a number of key alarms, alerts, people using shelters to ensure that they are safe and secure. Get us up to speed on what is going on there and what you understand to be next steps in this massive offensive against Iran.

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: Becky, the reality of heading to shelters and sirens, warning of incoming ballistic missile fire is very much still happening today. In fact, we got the alert just a moment ago warning of launches detected from Iran. So, it's very possible that in the next moment or two here, we will have to head to the shelter. And if that happens, we'll take the camera bear with us as we move to a protected area.

As of right now, we have continued to see throughout this morning at least 4: four or five warnings of incoming missile fire, some at about 6:00 this morning, so four hours ago, some just one hour ago as we headed to shelter shortly before we talked to you for the first time this morning, and one we expect here in the coming moments.

Iran has warned there is more to come, the most powerful barrage they have launched yet. That's simply not what we're seeing at this point, and it very much appears that the launches we have seen this morning are of a smaller number of missiles. The biggest barrage came at about 10:30 last night. That's when at least one Iranian ballistic missile got through Israel's missile defense array and struck a building in Tel Aviv. That caused the first casualty here in Israel of the fighting between Israel and the U.S. and Iran. About 20 more were injured in that strike here.

But Iran has promised more is coming and Israel has prepared for that possibility. Israel's home front command continues to issue orders to stay near shelters and follow the commands that are given out to head to shelters when necessary. We have seen large swaths of the country receive those warnings of incoming missile fire.

Certainly for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and for the region, this is a critical moment. For years, for decades even, he has warned of the threat of Iran and warned of the threat of the supreme leader, viewing himself very much Messiahnically from that perspective. So, this moment killing the Supreme leader and decapitating much of Iran's security and defense leadership right at the beginning of the strikes, according to Israel's defense minister, Israel Katz, is, of course, a key moment, and from Netanyahu's perspective, a major accomplishment.

He hasn't actually laid out what comes next. The most we've gotten at this point from that perspective, at least in terms of public statements, is Netanyahu urging the people of Iran, and he tried to talk to them directly, to overthrow the regime itself.

[03:05:03]

But in terms of a plan for where this goes from here, that's what we are waiting to see and that's likely what we'll see unfold throughout the course of the day and over the coming hours here. Israel has continued to carry out strikes, mostly, it seems, in recent hours at least targeting Iran's ballistic missile threat and missile launches. Israel views those as the threat that can reach here. And we have seen that happen effectively, repeatedly since this started some 26 hours ago in the wave of that opening U.S. and Israel strike. And, frankly, that's where we stand at this point. It's a little less clear to what extent the U.S. is continuing to strike, but President Donald Trump had warned that the U.S. will continue to bomb Iran until, in his words from a Truth Social post late last night, there is regional peace and world peace.

So, at least from where we stand right here overlooking the Tel Aviv skyline that's been filled with interceptors and incoming missiles over the course of the past 24 hours, this is very much still a hot fight as we wait to see if there's a warning of incoming rocket fire, which we expect may be here in a moment.

ANDERSON: Yes. Oren, thank you for that, and more from you as you get it.

Let's get to our Paula Hancocks in Dubai. To be frank, Paula, just about 10 or 15 minutes ago, I got a warning of incoming strikes here in Abu Dhabi. Even the first wave of Iran's retaliation was widespread. We know they are continuing as we speak here across the UAE and the region. What is the very latest?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, Becky. We've certainly heard and seen the interception of a number of missiles, drones coming into Dubai this morning as well. As we were driving from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, we saw Jabal Ali Port, which had thick black smoke rising from the horizon.

Now, it's not clear if that was a direct hit. It could well have been debris from an interception at this point, but there certainly has been damage there that we have seen. And one interesting development I want to update you on that's just coming into us from Oman State News Agency saying that the Duke Commercial Port has been targeted by two drones, saying that one of them struck a mobile worker's accommodation unit, injuring an expatriate worker, debris from the other fell in an area near fuel tanks without any casualties.

Now, this is significant because Oman --

ANDERSON: Well, let me just interrupt you. I just want to get back to Oren because there are alarms going off there, and I know he is on the move. I just want to get back to him to get a sense of what's going on there. Oren, you're with us.

LIEBERMANN: Becky, you can probably hear those sirens going off here in Tel Aviv. We had gotten the alert just before I spoke with you a moment ago, warning of incoming missile fire. This is that warning now sounding across Tel Aviv in likely large parts of Central Israel at this point. So, we're now heading inside.

I apologize for the shakiness here and the change in lighting, but this has been. The reality here, it's unclear how big this barrage is at this point. We will see not only in terms of how long the sirens themselves last, but whether in the shelter we can hear interceptions. Those especially in that barrage from about 10:30 last night local time, those were easily heard from inside the shelter here, which is the effectively the concrete staircase of the hotel. Bear with us as we make our way down here. But this has been -- this has frankly been what Iran warned would be coming continued incoming fire and this is the reality we have seen at least this morning. I think this is at least the fifth or sixth time we've had incoming here, and, frankly, it could be a day of this as we wait as we wait to see this unfold. This is us now in the shelter here. And this is where we'll stay until we're all clear from the sound of sirens. And we'll let you know if we hear interceptions here from where we are in this protected space. Becky?

ANDERSON: It's good to have you. All right, that's Oren Liebermann in Tel Aviv and taking shelter as we speak.

Let me bring in Hasan Alhasan. He's a senior fellow for Middle East Policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies based in Bahrain. And I just want to get from you a sense of what is going on there. I know that as part of the sort of regional retaliation. Bahrain has been a target for Tehran. So, tell us, get us up to speed on what's going on there before we talk about the wider story.

HASAN ALHASAN, SENIOR FELLOW, MIDDLE EAST POLICY AT IISS: And the situation here in Bahrain is not radically different from what you're seeing in Abu Dhabi, Doha and across the other Gulf states. Sirens have been blaring minutes ago and we've seen wave after wave of Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting initially the U.S. military base in Bahrain but increasingly it's becoming obvious in Bahrain and I think in other Gulf states as well that the Iranians are expanding their target set to include civilian infrastructure.

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The Bahrainis have announced that the Iranians have targeted Bahrain international airports with drones. We've seen similar reports from Kuwait. There are similar reports in the UAE as well. And we're seeing growing numbers of Iranian drone attacks targeting what appears to be high-rise buildings in dense Gulf cities. So, I think we're seeing an Iranian signaling that everything is on the table and that civilian infrastructure is now fair game as far as the Iranians are concerned.

I think the most recent reports coming out of Oman, that Oman's docking port has been targeted by two drones, even though the Omani report does not explicitly name Iran. And I think it's a very clear message on the part of the Iranians that no one is safe, that mediation doesn't offer protection and that exchanges of mutual assurances or pledges not to allow airspace or territories to be used militarily against Iran are ineffective either.

ANDERSON: Hasan, then what is the next step? Because we have had statements of condemnation about these strikes from across the region, you are right to point out that this is a significant escalation if it is Iran, and one has to assume it is Iran striking Oman, which has been the mediator in these talks, what happens next? These countries reserve the right to respond. What would that look like?

ALHASAN: I think before we get into that, I think the reassuring point here, and this is an important caveat, is that based on preliminary reporting, air and missile defenses in the Gulf states seem to be working quite effectively. I mean, based on preliminary reports coming out of the UAE and Qatar, we're seeing interception rates at over 90 percent. And given the close geographical proximity of the Gulf states to Iran and this, you know, without being a military expert myself, this seems quite impressive.

Now, what are the Gulf states' options? I think the Iranian calculus here is to try and compel the Gulf states through and ratchet up the pain on the Gulf states in order to compel them to apply pressure on the Trump administration to bring a quick end to the war.

Now, I think this is a misguided Iranian calculus for multiple reasons. One, Gulf air defenses and missile defenses, as I said, are performing effectively. Two, the psychological effect of these Iranian attacks is wearing off as publics in the Gulf and the leaderships become accustomed and psychologically resilient to them. Three, it's really unclear how much leverage the Gulf States have over the Trump administration's decision to end the war or seek an off-ramp or seek de-escalation at this stage, I think it's, you know, quite clear that the U.S. has a mind of its own and it's acting in close concert with the Israelis. And I think what Iran's strategy may end up doing, in fact, is pushing the Gulf states into closer alignment with the U.S. rather than the other way around.

And let's remember the Gulf states have options. All of the Gulf states have said that they reserve the right to respond. They will obviously defend their territories in their spaces but they have a number of options to counter-escalate as well, ranging from allowing the U.S. greater operational access to airspace and territories and then going up the escalation ladder to potentially targeting -- carrying out limited strikes against -- preemptive strikes against Iranian missile launchers pointing at the Gulf, or, you know, in an extreme scenario, join the U.S. campaign against the IRGC.

Now, I think this is still unlikely. Clearly, the baseline default preference of the Gulf states is to deescalate, is to remain out of the confrontation with Iran. But if we are to see a further Iranian escalation causing mass casualty events or major outages through targeting of critical national infrastructure, then I think Iran might really, I think, lose whatever friends it has left in the region and might compel actually the Gulf states to start considering options up the escalation mode.

ANDERSON: And I spoke to -- sort of echoing and reflecting what you've just been discussing, I spoke to Al Hashimy, the UAE minister of state for International Cooperation just last hour, and I asked her whether the door to diplomacy was now closed.

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Have a listen to what she told me.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REEM BINT EBRAHIM AL HASHIMY, UAE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION: The door for diplomacy never closes. We continue to engage because we continue to want to deescalate and we want to find other ways, other security arrangements that are helpful for this larger region.

Iran is a neighbor to us, will always be a neighbor to us geographically, but also we share a lot of similar ecosystems in a very close and tight-knit region. Having said that it is very important to recognize that it takes two to tango, and at this stage you are seeing a barrage of attacks against not just the UAE but other countries within the Gulf, Jordan, Iraq, et cetera. And that is a massive escalatory measure that is just not indicative of an Iran that wants to be in the region with its fellow neighborhood.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: And you've pointed out that the messaging out of the Gulf and the UAE in particular has been focused on the Iranian retaliation rather than the U.S. and Israel's actions. So, although they don't, you know, welcome a war, it does appear that these Gulf states are somewhat arranging themselves on the side of the United States at this point. Is that your read?

ALHASAN: Sorry? Is that question directed at me, Becky, or is this part of the interview?

ANDERSON: Correct. Yes. No, no, correct, to you, Hasan.

ALHASAN: I think there are -- thanks, Becky. I think there are de facto being pushed into closer alignment with the U.S. because of Iran's course of action, because of the choices that Iran is making. It really is, I think, leaving very little wiggle room here for the Gulf states. But I do think echoing what Reem Hashimy has said, echoing what Dr. Anwar Gargash, the presidential adviser, said last night as well, that I think the default preference for the Gulf states is to act as mediators rather than to be forced by Iran into becoming parties to the conflict.

But I do think that for mediation, for diplomacy to work, the warring parties, both Iran and the U.S. and Israel, have to want to deescalate. But I do think that, and this will be dictated by the operational tempo of events, to what extent are us and Israeli strikes effective, and, conversely, to what extent are the Iranians able to respond and to raise -- up the ante.

But I do think, ultimately, it'll depend on the appetite of these parties to seek a de-escalation, but I do think that the Gulf states remain ready to mediate an end to this conflict. It's in the GCC collective interest to see this war end as quickly as possible. And I think the various Gulf states have signaled their willingness and readiness to facilitate such an end to the conflict even before Iran started targeting them. And I think this continues to apply.

ANDERSON: It is good to have you, sir, really good to get your perspective here based in the Gulf in Bahrain. Hasan Alhasan joining us today.

Right, still to come tonight, Iranian media says dozens were killed at a school during the U.S.-Israeli attacks early on Saturday. We're going to get the latest on what we know on that after this.

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ANDERSON: Iranian state media says dozens of students were killed during the U.S.-Israel attack on Saturday. The bombing hit a girls school in Southern Iran. The local prosecutor now says 148 people were killed and 95 others were wounded, Saturday, the first day of the school week, of course, in Iran. The school is located just 200 feet, which is 61 meters from an Iranian military base. A U.S. military spokesman says they are taking all precautions to minimize the risk of unintended harm.

Well, a Congressional vote on President Trump's war powers was already scheduled for next week. Now, that vote takes on new urgency following Trump's decision to launch strikes on Iran. Earlier, we spoke to New York Representative for Gregory Meeks who said, these strikes highlight constitutional concerns about presidential authority under this administration. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. GREGORY MEEKS (D-NY): We cannot give away. And that's part of the problem. So, part of the problem with Congress is we can't give away the authority that the Constitution gives us to the executive branch of government. That's not what this country was created to have a king or one person to make those kinds of determination and the people of the United States.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: But many Republicans are backing the president's actions so far, arguing their necessity for national security. Here's Florida Representative Cory Mills.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. CORY MILLS (R-FL): When they talk about constitutionality, when they talk about Article 1, Section 8 of the War Power Authorities of Congress, specifically Sections 11 through 13, they failed to remember that in 1957, 1991, 2001 and 2002, the Congress abdicated their roles and responsibilities under what was called the authorized visa of military force.

Not only is this constitutional, not only does this fall under AUMF, but it was necessary in order to try and protect our allies' national security interests and United States personnel in the region.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, we're following the U.S. government's response from several angles, the foreign policy side with Jennifer Hansler, who is in Washington for you. First, let's hear what the White House is saying. CNN's Julia Benbrook traveling with President Trump in West Palm Beach in Florida. Julia, what have you got there? JULIA BENBROOK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it is into the middle of the night now here in West Palm Beach, but we did hear from Trump just a couple of hours ago in a Truth Social post, and that has been the primary way that he has been commenting on this, in addition to several brief phone interviews that he's done with various networks. But this most recent post, in it, he has a warning for Iran that essentially if they retaliate, the United States is only going to continue to up the pressure.

I want to pull that up for you now. In this, he said, quote, Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before. And then he wrote in all caps, they better not do that. However, because if they do, we will hit them with a force that has never been seen before.

The president announced the U.S.-Israel strikes against Iran in an eight-minute video that came out shortly after. And in it, he had a message for the people of Iran. He encouraged them to seize control of their government after U.S. military operations concluded. I want you to take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Finally, to the great proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don't leave your home. It's very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.

For many years, you have asked for America's help but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BENBROOK: Now, all of this comes after several rounds of high-stakes talks between the United States and Iran led on the U.S. side by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. The most recent round of these took place in Geneva on Thursday. And when those concluded, it was clear that there was still a significant gap between the two parties as they failed to come to a nuclear agreement.

Now, throughout that process, Trump has expressed frustration, saying that the Iranians would talk and talk, but he has not seen the action that he wanted to see. And at one point he even said that regime change could be the best outcome. Following now the killing of Iran's supreme leader, the ayatollah, it seemed -- and his recent comments to the people of Iran, it does seem clear that is at least part of the goal here.

Now, in a phone call with CBS News, Trump said that there are some good candidates to lead Iran, but he did not elaborate further.

ANDERSON: Yes. Julia, stand by. I want to get to Jennifer Hansler in Washington. And we've seen scenes of celebration across Iran, Jenny, a monument torn down in one city. I mean, even if the Iranians are answering that Trump call to rise up, what is the U.S. administration's plan moving forward to support them?

JENNIFER HANSLER, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT REPORTER: Well, that's a great question, Becky, and one that we have not seen a fulsome answer from the administration on. Now, they've obviously put out that public messaging. It's unclear how much has actually reached the Iranians though given ongoing blackouts. We know that there have been some broadcasts from Voice of America, Farsi, and some radio Farda, have been able to access some of the Iranian population, but we don't know how much this is actually being heard.

In terms of a day after plan, Becky, this is not something that the administration has put out in any sort of way that we can tell. They have not said how they would like any sort of transition to play out, and we know there is a great deal of uncertainty as to what actually happens now following the killing of the supreme leader. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a recent Congressional hearing that they don't really know what would happen when that took place, that it's, you know, anyone's guess who might take over despite what Trump said about these so-called good candidates that he has in mind.

[03:30:01]

In terms of the broader diplomacy here, Becky, obviously, there is a very serious concern in the region and beyond that this could escalate out of control. We saw Rubio speak with his G7 counterparts last night. According to the Italian foreign minister, there was some discussion about avoiding the widening of this conflict.

ANDERSON: Jennifer, always good to have you, much appreciated. Julia there in Florida, very much appreciate your time, thank you to you both.

We will be right back with CNN's breaking news coverage. It is 12:30 P.M. here in Abu Dhabi from our Middle East programming headquarters. I'm Becky Anderson.

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[03:35:00]

ANDERSON: Semi-official Tasnim News Agency says the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has launched a sixth wave of attacks on Israel and what they describe as U.S. bases in the region. This comes the day after Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other top officials were killed in joint U.S. and Israeli strikes. Iran is now promising to respond with, quote, the heaviest offensive operations in its history.

Well, this video geo-located by CNN shows what appears to be a new Iranian attack on Dubai with smoke rising near the city's airport. There have also been attacks in Doha, in Bahrain and in Erbil, Iraq, where U.S. troops, of course, are stationed. U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media that if Iran continues its retaliation, the U.S. will, quote, hit them with a force that has never been seen before.

Well, these surprise strikes on Iran just over 24 hours ago have plunged the country and the world into uncharted territory.

My colleague, Jim Sciutto, has more on how Saturday's attacks unfolded and how this conflict has the potential to reshape the region for better or worse.

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JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR AND CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST (voice over): It was a broader and more ambitious attack than many had expected. As day broke, airstrike slammed Tehran Saturday morning, as the U.S. and Israel launched joint strikes, which President Trump called Operation Epic Fury.

TRUMP: The United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground.

SCIUTTO: Sources tell me that the U.S. is prepared for multiple waves of strikes lasting 36 to 48 hours, followed by pauses to assess battle damage.

Soon after the strikes began, a plume of smoke was visible rising from Tehran's Pasteur District, location of the highly secure compound housing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

By day's end, President Donald Trump confirmed the supreme leader was dead.

Israel quickly closed its airspace, declaring a state of emergency and warning citizens to stay home. Iranian state-run news agencies began reports that missiles are dropping in cities across Iran, including Isfahan, Lorestan, Karaj and Tabriz. Footage verified by CNN appears to show a strike on Iran's intelligence ministry complex in Northern Tehran. Video geo-located by CNN from another angle appears to show the same area.

Then retaliatory strikes by Iran began hitting across the region, first missile attacks on the U.S. Navy's fifth fleet base in Bahrain. Soon, after Iran fired short and medium range missiles at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East, and at the US base in Erbil, Iraq.

Within hours, the United Arab Emirates announced it had closed its airspace as missiles struck the capital city, Abu Dhabi, and heavily populated neighborhoods in Dubai.

Israel itself was next, as sirens erupted in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Iran launching dozens of ballistic missiles in Israel's direction. Israeli air defenses working to intercept them.

Stories of casualties quickly emerged. Iranian media says dozens of students were killed after a missile struck a school near the town of Minar (ph).

Bahrain reported a high-rise residential building struck.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: In the next few days, we are going to strike many terrorist targets to complete this act and to topple this regime.

Help has arrived.

This help that you are wishing for has arrived, and this is the time to go together for this mission.

SCIUTTO: Global airlines are canceling flights all over the Middle East and governments warning their citizens to take immediate shelter, as the deadly back and forth continues with no apparent end in sight.

Jim Sciutto, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Well, CNN's Ivan Watson joining us now live. And, Ivan, we've heard from one of the surviving leaders of this regime, a man by the name of Ali Larijani. What do we know about him?

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Right. Well, he's a veteran of politics in Iran. I think I remember him being the speaker of the Majles at one point.

[03:40:00]

And he has been one of the most forceful voices to emerge now day two of this combined us Israeli bombardment of Iran.

I'd like you to take a listen to an excerpt of what he had to say on Iranian state media.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LARIJANI: The Americans have stopped the Iranian people in the heart, and we will stab them in their heart. The reaction from our armed forces will be much stronger.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WATSON: So, no signs of backing down at all, and also signals being sent from Tehran about plans to continue leadership talking about formation of a temporary leadership council and a process to appoint a new supreme leader. And recall that since the re revolution of 1979, Iran has only had two supreme leaders and the now slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was by far the longest serving, some 36 years. in power.

So, big questions about who will assume leadership next and also with leadership decimated. I mean, among those now confirmed killed by Iranian state media are the defense minister, the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, the commander of the armed forces, you know, just a growing list of important officials in the Islamic Republic who have all been killed. The government has declared 40 days of mourning. Also, as we've heard, it's vowed revenge. We are seeing on the one hand, some people in different Iranian cities celebrating the death of their supreme leader. On the other hand, we've seen signs mass outpourings of support for him in the streets of Isfahan, for example, in Tehran as well.

And the ripple effects of this war, we just saw in Jim Sciutto's I note some statistics that came out of the government of Bahrain saying that they had shot down 45 missiles and 9 drones fired at Bahrain. Also hearing from the Oman news agency that two drones were fired at the commercial port there, injuring at least one worker.

And that's all the more striking when you consider that Oman was involved in mediation efforts and the Oman foreign minister in the hours leading up to this U.S.-Israeli attack appeared to be intervening, trying to salvage a diplomatic effort here, Becky. And yet it seems to have come under Iranian drone attack as well as so many other countries across the Gulf.

Air traffic across the region has ground to a halt as airspaces closed and numerous airports from Dubai to Doha to Bahrain have been targeted by drones. Sea traffic appears to have slowed down dramatically. And I want to point to one other deadly incident that has taken place in Pakistan, a bit further from this immediate region where an angry crowd attacked the U.S. Consulate there. We have emergency ambulance workers who have confirmed the deaths of at least six people at the gates of the U.S. Consulate in Karachi and a Pakistani police official telling CNN that this crowd, angry crowd of hundreds, appeared almost within minutes, and they were protesting the U.S. war in Iran. Karachi home to a significant Shiite Muslim population. Becky?

ANDERSON: Thank you, Ivan.

And just to underscore there, the news that Oman has downed two drones, targeting the Duqm Port means that all six Gulf countries have now been the victims of strikes over the past 24 hours. As you rightly underscore, it was Oman in a mediation role through these latest and last series of talks, trying to find a diplomatic solution to this now with these strikes. That really is a game changer. Thank you.

Victory, cheers filling the streets of Tehran. Just ahead, a look into the celebrations following the death of Iran's supreme leader and more on others who are mourning the loss.

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[03:45:00]

ANDERSON: We're seeing both anger and celebration after the death of Iran's supreme leader. Anti-regime activists posted videos showing large gatherings of revelers in one people can be heard chanting here, death to the Islamic Republic and long live the shah. But in Iraq, for example, angry protesters tried to storm Baghdad's Green Zone. Iraqi Security Forces used flash bangs to turn them back and keep them from reaching the U.S. embassy. In Pakistan, emergency workers say six protesters were killed after hundreds stormed the U.S. Consulate compound. It is not clear how they died.

Well, Americans are sharing their views on the military strikes in Iran.

[03:50:00]

Coming up, a look at just some of the demonstrations that took place in the streets of cities across the U.S. this weekend.

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ANDERSON: Israel says its Air Force has carried out a new wave of strikes on the Iranian capital. Reports from Tehran say there were explosions in multiple areas of the city on Sunday morning. Images posted on social media purported to show large clouds of dense smoke rising from several parts of the city. It comes as a top Iranian official is promising to, and I quote here, stab America in the heart, the day after Iran's supreme leader was killed by joint U.S. and Israeli military strikes.

Israel's defense minister says, the strikes that killed Ayatollah Khamenei and several other high ranking leaders with the opening blow in what is a larger operation.

[03:55:03]

Both Israel and the U.S. indicate that there will be more military strikes to come.

Well, mixed messages coming out of the United States on these military strikes on Iran. While some demonstrators celebrated the action in Iran, in Los Angeles, in California, for example, elsewhere in the city, another crowd condemned the attacks and called for the country to not enter a new war.

Their message sounds similar to the ones coming from protesters near the White House on Saturday, as well as demonstrations in New York City. Protesters there held anti-war signs and called for an end to the violence.

Well, I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi. This is our Middle East programming headquarters for CNN. I'll be back with a lot more of what is CNN's breaking news after this short break. Stay with us.

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