Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, was killed in an Israeli strike, official confirmed. His death marks a major turning point for the Islamic Republic’s leadership.
Among those targeted were aides Ali Larijani and Ali Shamkhani, IRGC chiefs including Esmail Qaani, and the Iranian defense minister • Israel targeted assassinations as US focused elsewhere
Air power can create a moment, but it cannot guarantee an outcome. It can weaken the regime, fracture its leadership and erode its sense of invincibility.
Operation Epic Fury began early Saturday, with Trump confirming US strikes on Iran alongside Israel, igniting debate in Washington over escalation and presidential authority.
Former IDF intelligence official Yossi Kuperwasser said Iran now views the conflict as an existential war, warning the regime is likely to escalate and use all military and proxy capabilities.
In the Tabriz area, the IDF struck a major site from which the Islamic Republic has fired dozens of ballistic missiles at Israel.
Hezbollah expressed solidarity with Iran following US and Israeli strikes, warning of regional consequences while stopping short of saying it would enter the conflict.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said UK forces and aircraft are taking part in coordinated defensive efforts in the region but are not involved in US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
US President Donald Trump has for weeks signaled the US was interested in seeing regime change in Iran, but has not given in any detail Washington’s thinking on who could lead the country.
Israel and the United States struck Tehran and western Iran on Saturday, February 28, aiming to curb ballistic missile launches toward Israel as Iran began retaliatory fire.
UAE state media: one killed in Abu Dhabi • Kuwait state media: 12 hospitalized • Bahrain: Residential buildings, US service center hit • Explosions heard in Qatar, public events suspended
