Iran’s Supreme Leader Has Been Assassinated In Israel And The US’ Unprovoked Strikes On Iran
Khamenei's assassination came after the US and Israel launch its attack on Iran following negotiations between the US and Iran over the latter’s nuclear program.
Iran’s state TV has confirmed the country’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been assassinated in Israel and the US’ unprovoked strikes on Iran.
Khamenei has been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989.
Under his rule, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) evolved from a paramilitary force into a powerful security, political and economic institution that became central to Iran’s influence across the region, according to Al Jazeera.
His rule was marked by brutality, crackdown on dissent and strict laws, especially during Iran’s 2022 protests that rocked the country following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.
His assassination came after the US and Israel launch its attack on Iran following negotiations between the US and Iran over the latter’s nuclear program in Geneva, Switzerland, mediated by Oman.
The talks ended on Thursday, Feb. 26, without a breakthrough, but Oman’s foreign minister saidIran had agreed to degrade its stockpiles of nuclear material to “the lowest level possible” — effectively to unrefined levels — and that a deal was “within reach,” with negotiations expected to be resumed in less than a week in Vienna.
However, on Saturday, Feb. 28, US president Donald Trump announced Israel and the US are launching a “major combat operation” in Iran to “obliterate” Iran’s missile industry, claiming Iran had rejected “every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions.”
US missiles, drones and Israeli fighter jets targeted over 500 sites across Iran.
In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US bases in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Oman’s Duqm port.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes on Iran aim to remove an “existential threat” and to help empower the Iranian people to shape their own future.
Iran's Red Crescent said at least 201 people had been killed and 747 injured in the attacks by late Saturday.
Trump later announced on his Truth Social that Khamenei had been assassinated.
Iran state TV confirmed on Sunday, March 1, Khamenei’s assassination and said the country would enter 40 days of mourning.
Sofia Hou
Flavie Chen
Cherry Mohamed
