Iran’s Supreme Leader Killed in Joint US-Israeli Strikes, Escalating Regional Conflict
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – A coordinated missile attack by the United States and Israel on February 28, 2026, resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other top security officials, marking a significant escalation in a three-year conflict rooted in stalled negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. The Iranian government confirmed Khamenei’s death on March 1.
The assault targeted both civilian infrastructure and military sites across Iran, including a girls’ school where over 170 people were killed, according to reports. This latest offensive follows years of escalating tensions, beginning with unprecedented missile attacks in April 2024 and the US re-entry into the conflict in 2025.
Despite assertions from US President Donald Trump that previous bombing campaigns “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear facilities, diplomatic efforts continued until just weeks before the February 28th attack. Recent claims by Trump that Iranian military capacities have been “decimated” are viewed with skepticism.
The conflict has already spread beyond Iran’s borders, with neighboring countries facing constant aerial bombardment from both Israeli and Iranian forces. Casualties are in the thousands, and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure is reported from Türkiye to Oman.
The closure of the Iranian side of the Strait of Hormuz has placed the global economy under significant strain, exacerbating existing disruptions to oil prices, supply chains, and transportation networks.
The death of Khamenei, who had been in power since 1989, comes amidst internal unrest in Iran. Demonstrations calling for economic reforms and greater political openness preceded the recent attacks. Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the deceased leader’s son, has reportedly been injured and has not appeared publicly, raising questions about the succession.
The international response has been muted. While the United Nations Secretary-General and Pope Leo XIV have called for an end to the conflict, their appeals have gone unanswered. Iran, recently joining the BRICS+ group, has not received public support from its allies, with Russia offering to mediate a deal and China emphasizing the importance of territorial integrity.
European nations are divided on how to respond, with some supporting the US-Israeli effort and others condemning the violence. The European Union is grappling with the end of what President of EU Commission Ursula Von der Leyen termed “European custody” over a rules-based world order.
The US approach, characterized by unilateral action and a reluctance to seek broad international coalitions, contrasts with previous interventions in the Middle East, such as the 1991 Gulf War and the 2011 intervention in Libya. This strategy, described as “diffuse unilateralism,” prioritizes securing favorable deals through displays of military strength and the manipulation of international institutions, rather than long-term institutional investment.
The current crisis highlights a broader shift in the global order, with the US increasingly decoupling from the post-Cold War Liberal International Order and a growing fragmentation of international governance.
