The US-Israel military action and Iran’s counterstrikes intensified sharply on the second day of hostilities, with reports confirming that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has been killed. In response, Iran has escalated its strikes and announced 40 days of public mourning and seven days of nationwide holidays.The scale of the escalation over the past 24 hours is being described as unprecedented and largely unforeseen. While US–Israel strikes have reportedly killed and wounded hundreds of civilians in Iran, Tehran’s retaliatory attacks have spread across at least six neighbouring countries, including strikes targeting Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar.Indian-American journalist and CNN analyst Fareed Zakaria said Iran has historically mishandled its negotiations and regional strategy, calling its attack on Gulf nations a foolish mistake.“I’m surprised at how clumsy they are,” Zakaria said. “They should never have attacked the Gulf states, particularly when those countries had made clear they did not want any part of this military operation. Their military bases couldn’t be used, their airspace couldn’t be used. They had privately counselled President Trump not to carry out this attack.”Zakaria argued that Tehran’s strategic misstep was failing to drive a wedge between Washington and Gulf capitals. Instead, he said, Iran’s strikes have pushed Gulf countries closer together.He noted that the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have issued strong condemnations, calling the attacks outrageous, a reaction that, in his view, underscores how Iran has misplayed the situation.Also read | From Exile to Alternative: Why the Son of Iran’s Last Shah is Suddenly Back in FocusTrump warns IranUS President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to Iran in a recent post on Truth Social, saying Tehran had threatened a major escalation.Story continues below this ad“Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before,” Trump wrote. “THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE! Thank you for your attention to this matter!”The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd