Iran begins three days of public mourning for Khamenei
Iran has announced the start of three days of public mourning for slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Khamenei’s body will lie in Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosque from 10 p.m. local time Wednesday, where mourners will be able to pay their respects. This signals the beginning of the funeral process; prayers and public speeches will be broadcast live on state television.
– ABC News’ Joe Simonetti
Iranian civilian death toll rises to 912, human rights group says
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), which relies on a network of activists inside Iran, said Tuesday night it has documented 912 civilian deaths and 211 civilian injuries so far, attributing them to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operation. HRANA said at least 181 of those killed were children under age 10 and that it is reviewing 880 reports of other deaths. The group also said it has “verified credible reports of attacks on at least seven medical centers and emergency health facilities.” HRANA called the figures “devastating and escalating” and said they are minimums; “The protection of civilians is not optional. It is a binding legal obligation.” ABC News said it could not independently verify the numbers but noted HRANA has been accurate in past reporting.
– ABC News’ Somayeh Malekian and Morgan Winsor
Kuwait Army reports “wave of missiles and drones”
The Kuwaiti Army posted on X that it was “dealing with a wave of missiles and drones” on Wednesday morning as Iranian attacks in the region continued.
“No to war,” says Spanish PM after Trump criticism
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez addressed the nation Wednesday after President Donald Trump threatened a full trade embargo following Spain’s refusal to allow U.S. use of its bases in the conflict with Iran. Sánchez summarized Spain’s stance as “No to war,” condemned what he called Iran’s “indiscriminate” bombing of other nations in the region, and questioned the clarity of U.S. and Israeli objectives. He warned of “serious consequences” from a prolonged war for the global economy and the cost of living, invoked lessons from the 2003 Iraq invasion, and urged a diplomatic solution. “No-one” supports the theocratic regime in Tehran, Sánchez said, calling for an end to hostilities before it’s too late.
– ABC News’ Tom Soufi Burridge