Israeli strikes intensified throughout the morning, with reports claiming the elimination of Iranian commanders who financed Hamas's October 7 attack. Israeli officials declared their operations had delayed Iran's nuclear program by at least two years, while Putin publicly defended Tehran's right to peaceful nuclear use.
The day's pivotal development emerged through Axios reporting that Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei had become "introvable," causing the collapse of secret US-Iran negotiations organized by Trump and Erdogan in Istanbul. Media described Khamenei as hiding in bunkers since the conflict began, while explosions continued across Tehran.
In Rome, approximately 100,000 protesters gathered against military rearmament, with opposition parties submitting a unified motion demanding the government revoke military cooperation with Israel. The demonstration represented Italy's largest anti-war mobilization in recent memory, with Cardinal Parolin endorsing the protest.