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Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died pursuing a large onslaught by Israel and the United States, Iranian authorities media confirmed aboriginal connected Sunday (March 1, 2026). President Donald Trump previously announced the death, saying it gave Iranians their “greatest chance” to “take back” their country.
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Iranian authorities tv and the state-run IRNA quality agency did not study a origin of decease for the 86-year-old. The assassination enactment the aboriginal of the Islamic Republic successful uncertainty and raised the hazard of determination instability.
“Khamenei, 1 of the astir evil radical successful History, is dead,” Mr. Trump wrote successful a societal media post. He warned of “heavy and pinpoint bombing” that helium said would proceed passim the week and adjacent beyond, portion of a lethal battle the U.S. has justified arsenic indispensable to disable the country's atomic capabilities.
The onslaught opened a stunning caller section successful U.S. involution successful Iran, carried the imaginable for retaliatory unit and a wider war, and represented a startling flex of subject mightiness for an American President who swept into bureau connected an “America First” level and vowed to support retired of “forever wars.”
The sidesplitting of Khamenei successful the 2nd Trump medication battle connected Iran successful 8 months appeared definite to make a enactment vacuum fixed the lack of a known successor and due to the fact that the 86-year-old ultimate person had last accidental connected each large policies during his decades successful power. He led Iran's clerical constitution and its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, the 2 main centers of powerfulness successful the governing theocracy.
As reports trickled retired astir the death, eyewitnesses successful Tehran told The Associated Press that immoderate residents were rejoicing, blowing whistles and letting retired ululations.
Iran, which responded to the strikes with its ain counterassault, warned of retribution.
Ali Larijani, the caput of Iran's National Security Council, said connected Saturday (February 28, 2026) that Israel and America volition “regret their actions.”
“The brave soldiers and the large federation of Iran volition present an unforgettable acquisition to the hellish planetary oppressors,” Mr. Larijani posted connected X.
