On March 1, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) confirmed the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Reports indicate that several members of his family also perished in the incident.
Khamenei was reportedly killed during an assault attributed to the Israeli regime and the United States on the morning of February 28. The IRNA stated, “Indeed, we belong to God and to Him we return. The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran has died,” as shared on social media.
Fars News Agency, linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), also reported that Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law, grandson, and one of his daughters-in-law were among the deceased.
The Iranian government has declared a nationwide mourning period of 40 days and seven days of official holidays.
Prior to this confirmation, U.S. President Donald Trump had announced Khamenei’s death. On the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested in a video message that there were “many signs” indicating that Khamenei was no longer alive.
Subsequent reports from Reuters and the Times of Israel, citing Israeli officials, stated that Khamenei’s body was discovered following airstrikes by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Tehran.
Military Operations Against Iran
On February 28, Israel launched an attack on Tehran. Following this, President Trump declared that U.S. military forces had initiated a “major combat operation” against Iran aimed at eliminating perceived threats from the Iranian regime. He accused Iran of funding and training militants in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Hamas in Palestine, stating that the operation’s objectives included dismantling Iran’s missile industry and naval capabilities to prevent global destabilization.
The IRGC announced that it had fired missiles and drones toward Israel and attacked U.S. military bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The United Kingdom, currently presiding over the UN Security Council, convened an emergency meeting on February 28 at the request of France, Bahrain, Colombia, China, and Russia.
The European Union reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring regional security and stability in the Middle East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the Middle Eastern events, suggesting that Iranians should be given a chance to rid themselves of a “terrorist regime” and ensure safety for all nations affected by Iranian attacks.
Trump later reiterated that Khamenei was dead. The IDF reported that at least seven high-ranking Iranian officials were killed during the airstrikes, including the country’s Minister of Defense, Aziz Nasirzadeh, and the IRGC commander, Mohammad Pakpour.
The confirmed death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, follows an Israeli military operation in Tehran. The incident has triggered a national mourning period in Iran and escalated tensions in the region, with significant military responses from both Iran and the U.S.