Washington / Tehran | Sun, 1 March 2026
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has been killed in a wave of coordinated US-Israeli missile strikes, according to Iranian state media early Sunday, marking a dramatic escalation in a rapidly expanding regional war.
The confirmation followed an announcement by former US President Donald Trump, who said in a post on Truth Social that Khamenei was dead. Iranian state outlets later declared a period of national mourning.
Khamenei, who had ruled Iran since 1989, had not been seen publicly since the initial barrage of strikes began Saturday. Satellite imagery reportedly showed heavy damage to his secure compound in Tehran.
Trump and Netanyahu Confirm
Trump described the operation as a decisive blow against Iran’s leadership, saying the campaign aimed at regime change. He claimed that several top Iranian officials had also been killed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier stated there were “many signs” that Khamenei was no longer alive. Israeli officials later briefed media that his body had been recovered.
Iranian reports also indicated that members of Khamenei’s family — including his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter — were killed in the strikes, though independent verification remains limited.
Regional Conflict Expands
The joint military operation, reportedly targeting Iranian leadership, ballistic missile systems and nuclear-related sites, has triggered a new and dangerous phase of conflict in the Middle East.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards vowed retaliation, threatening US bases and allied interests across the region. Iranian missile and drone strikes were launched against US military facilities and Israeli targets, including sites in Bahrain and Gulf states.
US Central Command said it had intercepted hundreds of incoming missiles and drones and reported no American casualties.
Iranian media reported at least 201 people killed and 747 injured in the initial attacks, including children at a school. These figures have not been independently verified.
What Happens Next?
Under Iran’s constitution, the Assembly of Experts is responsible for appointing a new Supreme Leader. Analysts suggest that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) could play a decisive role in the transition of power.
The death of Khamenei — Iran’s most powerful political and religious authority for more than three decades — represents one of the most significant geopolitical developments in the region in recent history.
The situation remains fluid, with further military actions and political fallout expected in the coming days.
