U.S. and Israel Kill Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei in Strikes on Tehran

Early on 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel carried out coordinated, large-scale strikes inside Iran.

“The United States and Israel have struck multiple locations across Iran, including the capital, Tehran, in what US President Donald Trump described as “major combat operations””

Al Jazeera

Multiple outlets described the strikes as a joint operation, and U.S. and Israeli officials gave names to the missions.

Al Jazeera

The United States called its mission "Operation Epic Fury" while Israel used the name "Operation Lion's Roar".

President Donald Trump announced the operation and characterized it as "massive".

Iranian state media and several international outlets later confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes, and Iran declared a period of national mourning.

Strikes struck Iran’s political and military heartland, with reporting noting damage in Tehran’s Pasteur Street and other central districts.

Satellite imagery showed heavy destruction to parts of Khamenei’s offices.

BBC

U.S. and allied sources and media said roughly 40 senior Iranian officials were killed.

Outlets described explosions across Tehran and other cities and listed specific target areas near IRGC headquarters and offices linked to the supreme leadership.

Iranian and international reporting raised fears of significant civilian casualties.

U.S. and Israeli officials framed the operation as aimed at crippling Iran’s missile, naval and nuclear-related capabilities and at removing its senior command.

Some Israeli statements described the assault as a deliberate "decapitation strike".

President Trump reiterated objectives including destroying missile infrastructure and denying Iran a nuclear weapon, while critics argued the timing and surprise of the strikes — during active talks — prompted accusations the attack betrayed diplomatic channels.

State and international reports say Tehran launched missile strikes toward Israel and at locations linked to U.S. forces.

Iran also moved to an interim governance arrangement after Khamenei's death and vowed retribution.

Devdiscourse

Iranian authorities appointed interim leaders to govern until the Assembly of Experts selects a new supreme leader.

Senior Iranian officials publicly promised an "unforgettable lesson" to the U.S. and Israel as counter-attacks and regional skirmishes followed.

The strikes and ensuing tit‑for‑tat exchanges sharply raised regional tensions and disrupted strategic routes and markets.

“Trump warns some Americans may die amid US strikes in Iran World This is the second time the US has carried out strikes on Iran since Trump returned to the White House last year WASHINGTON (Reuters) - US President Donald Trump said on Saturday there could be US casualties after he announced the United States began "major combat operations" in Iran”

Dunya News

This produced widespread international concern and debate over legality, escalation risk and the absence of a congressional declaration of war by the United States.

Dunya News

Analysts and commentators compared the operation’s timing and surprise to historical precedents and warned of wider fallout, including shipping disruptions via the Strait of Hormuz.

They also noted that while major combat operations are underway the United States has not issued a formal constitutional declaration of war.