Israel’s Strike Kills Iran’s Supreme Leader; State TV Names Mojtaba Khamenei Successor

El Mundo reports that Iran’s supreme leader Ali Jamenei was killed in an early strike and that state media has named Mojtaba Jamenei as his successor, while other outlets and statements indicate confusion about responsibility for the attack.

“Middle East: Israelis under Iranian cluster bombs - US: The White House is stuck on a strategy to get out of the Iranian hornet's nest Israel and Iran exchanged fire early Wednesday and Tehran is maintaining pressure on the region's oil industry by attacking four ships in the Strait of Hormuz and targeting infrastructure, as concern grows about a global energy crisis”

El Mundo

El Mundo says an Iranian ambassador told The Guardian that "Mojtaba Jamenei was wounded in the legs, arms and hand in US and Israeli air attacks that killed his father, Ali Jamenei, on February 28," and that state TV has named Mojtaba as the new supreme leader.

El Mundo

The Boston Globe notes that "It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack," reflecting outstanding uncertainty in contemporaneous reporting.

Sources describe Mojtaba's condition and the immediate official messaging: El Mundo reports he was wounded in limbs during the strike that killed his father and that this absence from public view has fuelled speculation, while The Boston Globe relays domestic endorsements for Mojtaba using the variant spelling "Mojtaba Khamenei."

El Mundo states "This is the first statement from an Iranian official while in recent days speculation about the fate of Mojtaba Khamenei has continued to grow," and the Boston Globe quotes Ali Larijani posting that "Mojtaba Khamenei was 'raised in the school of leadership,' expressing hope his rule will bring 'goodness and blessing' to the country."

The Boston Globe

The reports are set against wider, escalating regional conflict: El Mundo details extensive US strikes and Iranian counterattacks and quotes Iranian statements threatening control of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on vessels, while The Boston Globe documents missile launches toward Israel, attacks on Gulf facilities, and clashes on Lebanon's border.

“Middle East: Israelis under Iranian cluster bombs - US: The White House is stuck on a strategy to get out of the Iranian hornet's nest Israel and Iran exchanged fire early Wednesday and Tehran is maintaining pressure on the region's oil industry by attacking four ships in the Strait of Hormuz and targeting infrastructure, as concern grows about a global energy crisis”

El Mundo

El Mundo says "The US military has struck more than 5,500 targets in Iran" and that Iran warned it will not allow "a single liter of oil" to pass through the Strait of Hormuz for the benefit of the United States or Israel;

The Boston Globe reports that "Iranian missiles launched toward Israel" and that Saudi Arabia and UAE facilities were targeted or hit in related attacks.

Available reporting contains contradictions and limits: El Mundo attributes the killing to US and Israeli air attacks and quotes Iranian officials framing the death as an assassination by the United States, while The Boston Globe emphasizes that responsibility remained unconfirmed in its coverage.

El Mundo records that Iran's Sports Minister said "the United States killed its leader, Ayatollah Ali Jamenei," and that Iranian state media named Mojtaba Jamenei successor;

The Boston Globe

By contrast The Boston Globe warns "It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack," underlining unresolved attribution and the need for further corroboration.