In a significant escalation of tensions, Iranian state media has confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike on February 28, 2026, during a Defense Council meeting at his office. The attack also resulted in the deaths of several senior Iranian military officials, including armed forces chief of staff Abdolrahim Mousavi and defense minister Aziz Nasirzadeh. Following Khamenei's assassination, Iran has declared a 40-day mourning period and vowed massive retaliation, launching missile strikes against targets in Israel and Gulf Arab states (Business Recorder, NPR). The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has pledged to avenge Khamenei's death, framing it as a catalyst for renewed conflict with the U.S. and Israel, which has already resulted in at least 201 casualties from the strikes (The Frontier Post).
INTERNATIONAL
Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei Assassinated In U.S.-Israeli Airstrike
79% NEGATIVE
Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei was killed in a U.S.-Israeli airstrike, sparking a 40-day mourning and vows of retaliation. The regime faces uncertainty amid calls for revenge and potential internal...
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19 outlets · 75 articles
EUeuronews.com
BRbrecorder.com
THthehindu.com
NPnpr.org
MEEmiddleeasteye.net
TFPthefrontierpost.com
TGtheguardian.com
GBgeo.tv
TNP-Ethenews.com.pk
DAdawn.com
SCMPscmp.com
TLtribune.com.pk