Iraq Declares National Mourning and Calls for Ceasefire as Regional Fighting Escalates

Iraq declared three days of national mourning following reports of the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and called for an immediate and unconditional halt to military operations across the region, amid escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel.

The Iraqi government warned that continued fighting could further destabilize the region and urged all parties to exercise restraint and return to diplomatic solutions.

Meanwhile, Israeli media, citing military sources, reported that the Israeli Air Force has fired around 1,200 missiles at Iranian targets since the start of the conflict.

Air raid sirens continued to sound across several Israeli cities after Iranian missile launches were detected. The Israeli Home Front Command said warning sirens were activated in Tel Aviv, while additional alerts were reported in Jerusalem, Ashdod and Ashkelon following what officials described as a new Iranian missile barrage.

In Dubai, authorities said two people were injured after debris from intercepted drones fell onto residential buildings. The drones were reportedly intercepted by air defense systems over the city.

The developments underscore the widening regional impact of the conflict, as military exchanges between Israel and Iran continue to trigger security alerts and political reactions across the Middle East.