Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader for nearly four decades, was killed in joint US-Israeli airstrikes on February 28, 2026, triggering massive Iranian retaliation and escalating tensions across the Middle East. President Donald Trump hailed the strike as a chance for Iranians to reclaim their country, while Iran confirmed the death and launched waves of missiles and drones. As of March 1, the conflict shows no signs of abating, with strikes reported in multiple countries.
US and Israeli forces conducted coordinated airstrikes targeting Iranian military, nuclear, and leadership sites in Tehran and beyond on February 28. Khamenei, aged 86, was killed along with around 40 officials, his daughter, grandchild, and other family members, according to state media and US confirmations. Iranian reports indicate at least 201 deaths and over 700 injuries from the attacks across 18 provinces.
President Trump announced the operation on social media, stating heavy bombing would continue, framing it as a response to Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and proxy support. Israel described it as a pre-emptive strike, with Netanyahu suggesting Khamenei’s body was found under rubble.
Hours after the strikes, Iran fired missiles and drones at Israel, US bases in Iraq, and Gulf allies including Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Explosions rocked Dubai’s Jebel Ali port, Doha’s skies, Bahrain’s US Navy sites, and Erbil airport in Iraq’s Kurdistan, with interceptions causing fires and casualties like one death in Abu Dhabi.
Iran’s military vowed further operations, while proxies like Houthis threatened Red Sea shipping and Kataeb Hezbollah targeted US forces. Airspaces closed across Iran, Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, UAE, and others as sirens blared in Israel and the West Bank.
Khamenei’s death has plunged Iran into uncertainty, with no clear successor named yet. Potential candidates include his son Mojtaba Khamenei, judiciary chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, and Qom leader Hashem Hosseini Bushehri, amid calls for unity from adviser Ali Larijani. A 40-day mourning period was declared, but protests and militia mobilizations signal internal turmoil.
The conflict has rapidly expanded beyond Iran-Israel-US, drawing in Gulf states and risking a wider war. Saudi Arabia repelled strikes on Riyadh, Yemen’s Houthis pledged escalation, and Iraq’s Iran-backed groups mobilized. US deployments include carrier groups, THAAD systems, and air exercises for defense.
Trump’s administration demands Iran halt uranium enrichment, limit missiles, and end proxy support, but Tehran resists. Analysts warn of regime change aims, with Israeli officials pushing comprehensive action. As strikes continue into March 1, oil prices surge and global markets brace for prolonged instability.
