TEHRAN,  -- The death toll from a joint US-Israeli strike on a girls' elementary school in Iran's southern province of Hormozgan rose to 148, semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday.

The attack also left 95 people wounded, local prosecutor Ebrahim Taheri was quoted as saying.

He said the majority of the victims of the brutal attack were pupils, with teachers, school staff and students' parents also among the dead.

On Saturday morning, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, including Tabriz, Qom, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Karaj. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US bases across the region.

The attacks on Tehran killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Secretary of the country's Defense Council Ali Shamkhani and Mohammad Pakpour, chief commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Iran's IRGC announces new wave of missile strikes on Israel, US bases after hitting multiple targets including Israeli General Staff's headquarters -- media

WASHINGTON - Some 40 Iranian officials were killed in the US-Israeli attack on Saturday, CBS News reported, citing anonymous sources.

Fox News, citing Israeli officials, also said that Saturday's strikes killed more than 40 senior Iranian security and government figures, noting that five to 10 top Iranian leaders were killed, along with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who were meeting at a compound in Tehran.

Earlier Saturday, when announcing Khamenei's death, US President Donald Trump said the massive military campaign against Iran will continue.

"The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary," Trump said in a post on social media.

Iran confirms death of IRGC Chief Commander Mohammad Pakpour, Defense Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani -- state media

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, head of judiciary, and one jurist of the Guardian Council to temporarily assume duties of leadership in Iran after Supreme Leader Khamenei's death -- media

The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on Saturday afternoon following US and Israeli military strikes against Iran, amid escalating tensions across the Middle East.

The meeting was convened at the request of China, Russia, France, Bahrain and Colombia.

China's permanent representative to the UN, Fu Cong, said it was "shocking" that the military strikes occurred at a time when diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran were ongoing, urging relevant parties to demonstrate political sincerity and resume talks as soon as possible.

China is "deeply concerned" about the escalation of tensions in the region, Fu said, noting that US and Israeli military strikes against Iran have triggered a "sudden escalation of regional tensions". He urged all parties to abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

"China has consistently maintained that all parties should observe the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and opposes and condemns the use or threat of force in international relations," he said.

The United States and Israel on Saturday launched "major combat operations" against Iran. Iran later retaliated with counterattacks targeting Israeli and US military installations in several Arab states across the region. As of Saturday, Iran had launched strikes toward Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Lebanon.

Fu stressed that the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Iran and other countries in the region must be respected, adding that China is "deeply saddened" by the heavy civilian casualties caused by the conflict.

"At no time should the red line of protecting civilians in armed conflict be crossed, and the indiscriminate use of force is unacceptable," he said, calling on all parties to fulfill their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, and to effectively protect civilians and avoid attacks on civilian facilities.

"Force is not the right way to resolve international disputes," Fu said. "The spillover of escalating tensions in the Middle East serves no one's interest. Resolving differences through dialogue and negotiations is the only viable way forward."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the US-Israeli strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran.

"We are witnessing a grave threat to international peace and security," he said, calling for the peaceful settlement of disputes and stressing that lasting peace can only be achieved through peaceful means, including genuine dialogue and negotiations.

The US and Israeli attacks occurred two days after the third round of indirect Iran–US nuclear talks mediated by Oman in Geneva, Switzerland. Technical discussions were scheduled to be held next week in Vienna. Guterres said he was "deeply regretful that this opportunity for diplomacy has been squandered."

"I strongly urge all parties to return immediately to the negotiating table, notably on the Iran nuclear programme," he said.

Amir Saeid Iravani, Iranian ambassador to the UN, described the US-Israel strikes as "war crimes". "This is not only an act of aggression; it is a war crime and a crime against humanity," he said.

"The invocation of 'preemptive attack', claims of an imminent threat, or other unsubstantiated political claims are unfounded legally, morally and politically," Iravani added.

Maged Abdelaziz, the permanent observer of the League of Arab States to the UN, said Saturday's meeting came at a moment that "represents a glaring failure of the multilateral international system, a failure the League of Arab States has long warned against."

He said the Arab-Israeli conflict had expanded into a full-scale regional war and condemned military strikes carried out by Israel and Iran in several Arab countries.

Abdelaziz urged all states to "respect their obligations under international law, including the UN Charter, which clearly prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state."

"Any use of force inconsistent with the purposes and principles of the United Nations, especially when it involves attacks on nuclear facilities, could have catastrophic consequences for entire populations," Abdelaziz said. He also called for an immediate halt to hostilities and efforts to prevent further escalation and a wider regional conflict.

TEHRAN - Iran's state media confirmed Sunday that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli attacks on Saturday.

The Iranian government announced a 40-day mourning period after the report of the leader's death.

Israeli military reports launching new wave of strikes on Iran's ballistic missile and air defense systems, explosion heard in Tehran -- media

TEHRAN - Four relatives of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, including his daughter, grandchild and son-in-law, were killed in the US-Israeli strikes, reported Iran's Fars News Agency on Sunday, citing sources.

NEW YORK - Hundreds of New Yorkers rallied in Times Square and then marched along streets in New York City in protest of -Israel coordinated airstrikes against Iran on Saturday.

Participants condemned the latest strikes on Iran and called for money to be spent on education, housing and other domestic priorities.

People held banners reading "Stop the War on Iran," "No Regime Change Wars," "Trump Must Go Now" and others.

Protesters also chanted "From the belly of the beast, hands off the Middle East," "Up up with liberation, down down with occupation" and other slogans.

"We cannot forget that it is the United States that has over 5,000 nuclear warheads ready to be launched. It is the United States that is pointing those nuclear warheads at the towns and cities of everyday people like you and me all across the world," said Layan Fuleihan, education director at The People's Forum, a socialist organization and movement incubator based in New York City.

"Iran poses no threat to the United States. We will not fall for the lies that were used to deceive us 20 years ago," said Fuleihan in a speech at the rally.

There is absolutely no reason and no working person, no family here in the United States that says they wake up every day and they are afraid of Iran, said Fuleihan. "This is not the reality of this country."

"The attack on Iran by Donald Trump and his war-crazed cabal is a massive political crime, illegal under international law and in direct violation of the Constitution," said a flyer handed out at the rally attributed to David North, chair of the Socialist Equality Party in the United States.

President Donald Trump has set the and the entire world on a disastrous course and the war will not solve the internal crisis of American society nor will it reverse the protracted deterioration in the global position of capitalism, said North.

The United States government is the most aggressive imperialist power in history and this is just another imperialist war, said Marilyn Vogt-Downey, a retired teacher of economics and foreign policy in New York City.

More protests against the war on Iran are planned in New York City alone in the coming days, according to organizers present at the rally.

WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump said Saturday that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli attacks earlier in the day.

Khamenei "is dead," Trump announced in a post on social media platform Truth Social.

Meanwhile, Trump said the massive military campaign against Iran will continue.

"The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!" Trump said in the post.

WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump said Saturday that he feels reports that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in airstrikes on Saturday are "correct."

"We feel that that is a correct story," said Trump in an interview with NBC News.

However, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei dismissed the reports, telling ABC News in an interview that Khamenei and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are "safe and sound."

In the interview with NBC News, Trump said of Iran's leadership, "The people that make all the decisions, most of them are gone."

Trump also told ABC News in an interview that the White House believes "a lot of" people among Iranian leadership were killed in strikes.

"A lot of it is, yeah. But we don't know all, but a lot of it is. Was a very powerful strike," Trump told ABC News by phone, saying the attack on Iran was going "very well."

Asked about how long the military campaign will last, Trump said: "As long as we wanted to, actually. But it's done such damage already. It's like -- they are incapacitated, essentially -- as long as we wanted to."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an address that "signs are growing" that Khamenei has been killed following an Israeli strike on his compound on Saturday.

Khamenei is still alive "as far as I know," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News on Saturday morning.

TEHRAN -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Saturday that the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are both "safe and sound."

He made the remarks in an interview with ABC News Live, giving the assurance that the system in Iran is working "because our system is very sophisticated, rooted in our identity and based on a popular revolution."

Baghaei said Iran's establishment is not based solely on one individual, adding, "Everything is being done in accordance with our plans, and our armed forces are conducting their defensive actions against this act of aggression that has been going on for the entire day."

JERUSALEM -- Israeli media on Saturday evening reported that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli attacks and his body has been found.

Multiple Israeli news outlets, including Channel 12, Channel 11 and i24 News, cited senior Israeli officials to say that Israel possesses evidence that can authenticate Khamenei's death.

Iran has yet to confirm the report. An Iranian official was quoted by state media as saying that "the enemy is resorting to mental warfare."

Earlier in the day, Iranian media reported that the supreme leader was commanding Iran's response to ongoing US-Israeli attacks, and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that almost all Iranian officials, except one or two commanders, are "safe and sound and alive."

JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday said in a video statement that there are "increasing signs" that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is "gone."

Earlier in the day, Iranian media reported that the supreme leader was commanding Iran's response to ongoing US-Israeli attacks.

Hours after the US and Israel launched a strike on Iran on Saturday, leaders of various European nations have expressed their strong concerns to the situation.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X: "The developments in Iran are greatly concerning. We remain in close contact with our partners in the region. We reaffirm our steadfast commitment to safeguarding regional security and stability." 

 "Ensuring nuclear safety and preventing any actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime is of critical importance," she also said.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas wrote on X: "I have spoken to Israel's Foreign Minister Saar and other ministers in the region. The EU is also coordinating closely with Arab partners to explore diplomatic paths." 

 "Protection of civilians and international humanitarian law is a priority. Our consular network is fully engaged in facilitating departures for EU citizens. Non-essential EU personnel are being withdrawn from the region."

France's President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X: "The outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security." He wrote on X that "the ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop."

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said: "We cannot afford another prolonged and devastating war in the Middle East. We demand immediate de-escalation and full respect for international law. It is time to resume dialogue and reach a lasting political solution for the region." 

According to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide was concerned the failure of negotiations between the US and Iran meant a "new, extensive war in the Middle East" would happen.

Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot wrote on X: "I am very concerned by the developments in the Middle East. I express my full solidarity with the governments and people of the Gulf countries which are currently affected by unprovoked attacks. The situation is extremely worrying. Violence should not expand across the region." 

Agencies contribute to the story.

zhangzhouxiang@chinadaily.com.cn

UNITED NATIONS -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday condemned the military escalation in the Middle East, saying that the use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent retaliation by Iran across the region, undermine international peace and security.

"All Member States must respect their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the United Nations," which clearly prohibits "the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations," Guterres said in a statement.

The UN chief called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation, warning that failing to do so risks a wider regional conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability.

"I strongly encourage all parties to return immediately to the negotiating table," he said.

Stressing that the UN Charter provides the foundation for maintaining international peace and security, Guterres reiterated that there is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of international disputes, in full accordance with international law, including the UN Charter.

TEHRAN-- Iran's Red Crescent Society said on Saturday that 201 people were killed and 747 others injured in US-Israeli attacks on the country, according to a report by the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

The United States and Israel announced early on Saturday they had launched strikes against targets in Iran, sharply escalating tensions in the Middle East and prompting swift reactions from allies, including Canada and European powers.

The White House said the strikes were aimed at preventing Iran from advancing its nuclear aspirations.

In an eight-minute televised address, US President Donald Trump described the operation as an effort that could lead to regime change, urging members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to "lay down your weapons" or "face certain death".

Tehran rejected Washington's characterization and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described Trump's push to topple the Islamic government as "mission impossible".

In an interview with NBC News from Tehran, Araghchi said Iran had been "acting in good faith" in negotiating an agreement on its nuclear program when the US and Israel launched their attacks.

"This is a war of choice by the United States," he said. "We made it clear for the American team that we are prepared to do everything in order to prove that our nuclear program is peaceful and would remain peaceful forever."

In a joint statement issued from Mumbai, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney and Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Ottawa was closely following what they called "Iran-related hostilities" and urged Canadians in Iran to shelter in place.

European powers struck a more cautious tone. The governments of France, Germany and the United Kingdom — known as the E3 — said they did not participate in the strikes and urged Tehran to end its nuclear program and seek "a negotiated solution".

In a joint statement, they called for renewed talks and said "ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future".

In a joint statement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa said the developments were "greatly concerning" and reaffirmed their "steadfast commitment to safeguarding regional security and stability".

"Ensuring nuclear safety and preventing any actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime is of critical importance," they said.

They called on "all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law", and added that the European Union would take "all necessary steps" to ensure EU citizens in the region could count on its full support.

Meanwhile, regional media reported a growing number of civilian casualties. The Tasnim news agency said the death toll from a strike on an elementary school for girls in Minab, in Hormozgan province, had risen to 85. The figures could not be independently verified.

Agencies contributed to this story

TEHRAN -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday condemned the deadly Israeli-US airstrikes on a girls' school in southern Iran in a statement, calling the strikes "inhumane," his office said.

Pezeshkian also urged all relief and medical centers and relevant officials in the region to prioritize the "immediate and uninterrupted care" of the injured and their families by mobilizing all resources.

The death toll from the airstrikes has reached 85, said local media.