US and Israel Kill Iran's Supreme Leader in Joint Operation

The United States and Israel launched a massive joint military offensive, codenamed Operation Epic Fury (U.S.) and Operation Roaring Lion (Israel), on February 28, 2026. The strikes targeted military infrastructure and leadership compounds across Iran, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and approximately 40 other senior officials. The operation also caused significant civilian casualties, most notably a strike on a girls' elementary school in Minab that killed between 60 and 175 children.

Iran retaliated with Operation True Promise 4, launching waves of ballistic missiles and drones against Israel and U.S. bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. These attacks killed at least 11 people in Israel, including nine in a synagogue shelter in Beit Shemesh, and three U.S. service members in Kuwait. The escalation further expanded into Lebanon, where Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel, prompting the Israel Defense Forces to conduct heavy airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburbs and mobilize 100,000 reservists. In response to this instability, the Lebanese government formally banned Hezbollah's military activities.

Following Khamenei's death, Iran established a three-member provisional leadership council consisting of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, and Ayatollah Alireza Arafi. President Donald Trump encouraged the Iranian public to overthrow the regime and suggested the campaign could last several weeks, though he later signaled openness to talks with the new leadership. Global impact included the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a spike in oil prices, and severe aviation disruptions across the Gulf.