Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in a major attack on Iran launched by Israel and the United States, throwing the future of the Islamic Republic into doubt and raising the risk of regional instability.
Explosions rocked Iran’s capital as Israel said it would carry out “non-stop strikes” against its leaders and military. Iran meanwhile fired more missiles at Israel and Gulf Arab states in retaliation for the killing.
The killing of Khamenei, and U.S. President Donald Trump’s calls for the overthrow of the decades-old Islamic Republic, marked the start of a stunning new U.S. intervention in West Asia and potentially a prolonged war.
Also read: Iran vs Israel | Chronicles of a war foretold
The weekend attacks were the second combined strikes in eight months from the U.S. and Israel against Iran. In the 12-day war last June, Israeli and American strikes greatly weakened Iran’s air defences, military leadership and nuclear programme. But the killing of Khamenei, who ruled Iran for more than three decades, creates a leadership vacuum, increasing the risk of regional instability.
With inputs from Agencies
A satellite image of a destroyed residence complex belonging to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, Iran on March 1, 2026. Photo: Vantor/Handout via Reuters
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AP
A damaged car remains on the ground in the aftermath of an Israeli-U.S. strike in Tehran, Iran, on February 28, 2026.
Rescue workers and residents search through the rubble in the aftermath of an Israeli-U.S. strike on a girls’ elementary school in Minab, Iran on February 28, 2026.
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AP
This image provided by U.S. Central Command shows a F/A-18E Super Hornet preparing for an arrested landing on the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) after a mission in support of Operation Epic Fury, on February 28, 2026.
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AP
Government supporters chant slogans as they gather in mourning after state TV officially announced the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, shown in the poster, in Tehran, Iran, on March 1, 2026.
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AP
Government supporters gather in mourning after state TV officially announced the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran on March 1, 2026.
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Reuters
Smoke rises following an Iranian projectile strike, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on February 28, 2026.
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Reuters
Interceptions attempt after Iran launched missiles into Israel, following Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran, in central Israel on February 28, 2026.
A satellite image of an industrial area covered in smoke in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. Photo: 2026 Planet Labs PBC/Handout via Reuters
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AP
Rescue workers and military personnel operate at the scene where several people were killed by an Iranian missile strike in Beit Shemesh, Israel on March 1, 2026.
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AP
A plume of smoke rises after a strike in Tehran, Iran, on March 1, 2026.
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AP
Israeli security forces inspect a damaged road after a missile launched from Iran struck Jerusalem, on March 1, 2026.
This image provided by U.S. Central Command shows a F/A-18F Super Hornet preparing to make an arrested landing on the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)) in support of Operation Epic Fury, on February 28, 2026. Photo: U.S. Navy via AP
Photo:
AP
A black plume of smoke rises from a warehouse at the industrial area of Sharjah City in the United Arab Emirates following reports of Iranian strikes in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on March 1, 2026.
Published – March 02, 2026 12:34 pm IST
