March 01, 2026 : Israel said it carried out a sweeping wave of air strikes across central Tehran on Sunday, declaring it was moving to establish air superiority over the Iranian capital in what officials described as a decisive phase of the conflict. The Israeli military claimed it had dismantled most of Iran’s air defence systems in western and central parts of the country, opening what it called a “path to Tehran.”
The escalation followed confirmation from Iranian state media that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, was killed in a large-scale assault that also claimed the lives of several members of his family. According to Iranian reports, Khamenei was working in his office at the time of the strike. His daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law and son-in-law were also among those killed.
Israeli military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told reporters that numerous strategic targets remained, including military-industrial production facilities. He said Israel possessed both the operational capability and the target intelligence to continue strikes “for as long as necessary.” However, he clarified that deploying ground forces into Iran was not under consideration.
The developments came hours after the United States and Israel said a coordinated air strike had eliminated Khamenei as part of a broader military campaign aimed at dismantling the power structure of the Islamic Republic. U.S. President Donald Trump warned Tehran against retaliation, stating that any counterstrike would be met with overwhelming force.
“Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “They better not do that.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined Trump in urging Iranians to seize what they described as a rare opportunity to challenge the country’s clerical leadership.
Leadership Vacuum in Tehran
Under Iran’s constitution, the Supreme Leader is appointed by the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member clerical body responsible for supervising and, in theory, dismissing the leader. The Supreme Leader functions as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and has ultimate authority over foreign and security policy.
Iran’s ISNA news agency reported that Alireza Arafi was appointed as the jurist member of a temporary Leadership Council tasked with carrying out the Supreme Leader’s duties until a successor is chosen. The council also includes President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei.
Analysts say that while Khamenei’s death represents a major shock to the system, Iran’s entrenched clerical establishment and the powerful Revolutionary Guards are structured to ensure institutional continuity.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the moment as “defining” for Iran, saying the country now stood at a crossroads with uncertain consequences.
Regional Fallout and Retaliation
Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf vowed “terrifying blows” in response, accusing Trump and Netanyahu of crossing a red line. Meanwhile, Iran reportedly launched retaliatory air and drone strikes around the Gulf region, targeting sites it considers aligned with U.S. interests.
The conflict quickly spilled beyond Iran’s borders. Oman’s maritime security centre said the Palau-flagged oil tanker Skylight was attacked off Musandam, injuring four crew members. The entire 20-person crew was evacuated.
In the United Arab Emirates, senior adviser Anwar Gargash urged Tehran to “go back to your senses,” stressing that the war was not with Gulf Arab neighbours. The UAE has reportedly borne significant impact from Iranian retaliation.
Explosions were heard in Dubai for a second consecutive day, and missile interceptions were visible over the city. Shrapnel from intercepted drones injured two people after debris fell onto residential homes. Smoke was also seen rising over Jebel Ali port.
Airspace disruptions have caused major travel chaos across the Middle East. Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest international hub, remained closed along with several other regional airports, marking one of the most severe aviation interruptions in recent years.
Unrest Beyond Iran
In Pakistan, clashes erupted outside the U.S. consulate in Karachi after protesters breached the outer perimeter wall. Police action left nine people dead. In Iraq, security forces used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse pro-Iran demonstrators near the Green Zone in Baghdad, where the U.S. Embassy is located.
Khamenei, who led Iran for 36 years, had built a network of regional influence stretching across Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and beyond. Iraq’s top Shi’ite cleric, Ali al-Sistani, expressed condolences and called for unity among Iranians.
A Conflict with Global Stakes
Trump defended the operation as a necessary step to end what he described as a decades-long threat from Iran, particularly its nuclear ambitions. He invoked past confrontations, including the 1979 hostage crisis at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, to frame the strike as a corrective to long-standing hostilities.
Iran’s leadership was already under strain from economic sanctions, internal unrest and weakened regional proxies. Whether the removal of Khamenei accelerates political change or triggers deeper instability remains uncertain.
For now, the Middle East stands on edge as both sides signal readiness for further escalation. – Reuters
