Khamenei confirmed dead in US-Israel strike on Tehran. Iran fires back across SEVEN countries. Three US service members killed. The Middle East is officially on fire.
THE BIG STORY
Khamenei confirmed dead in US-Israel strike on Tehran. Iran fires back across SEVEN countries. Three US service members killed. The Middle East is officially on fire.
WHATS HAPPENING
• Khamenei whacked in Tehran - first time a US-Israel op took out an Iranian Supreme Leader. Trump called him "one of the most evil people in History" on Truth Social. (NYT, Al Jazeera)
• Iran retaliating HARD - launched attacks on Israel AND US bases in Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Oman. IRGC says they hit 27 bases. (Guardian, Reuters)
• 3 US service members killed in action - day two of this mess. Trump warned Iran not to retaliate more or else. They did anyway. (CNBC, NBC)
• UK base in Cyprus drone striked - suspected Iranian drone hit RAF Akrotiri. No casualties. (Wikipedia, Reuters)
• Israel telling 50+ Lebanese villages to evacuate - IDF telling people to get out before they bomb southern Lebanon. Hezbollah exchanging fire. (Guardian)
• Oil prices SPIKING - ships attacked near Strait of Hormuz. Energy markets having a seizure. (CNBC, Reuters)
• Flights grounded - BA, Virgin Atlantic cancelling Middle East routes. (Al Jazeera)
• US embassies in Gulf region telling Americans to shelter in place. (Daily Mail, NBC)
TODAYS SMOOTHBRAINS
DONALD TRUMP - The guy who said "I could shoot somebody and not lose voters" now literally oversaw the assassination of a foreign head of state. Three US troops dead and hes on Truth Social threatening Iran with consequences. Bold strategy.
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU - Israeli PM getting the Christmas gift he always wanted. Defence Minister Katz already celebrating: "He who acted to destroy Israel — has been destroyed."
VLADIMIR PUTIN - Called Khameneis killing a "cynical murder" that violated "all standards of human morality." Coming from the guy who invaded Ukraine. Pot, meet kettle.
THE SKIM
• Texas Senate GOP primary - 3 Trump supporters battling it out. Cornyn unpopular with MAGA base. (Houston Public Media)
• Trump SOTU recap - touting economic gains, Republicans hammering Democrats on affordability. (CNBC, PBS)
• Al Green ejected from SOTU - held up sign saying "Black people aren't apes." (Fox News)
