LIVE: Fresh Explosion Rocks Iran's Capital After Khamenei’s Death
Israeli military says it was striking targets in central Tehran
A massive explosion struck Iran’s capital Sunday as the Israeli military said it was striking targets in central Tehran. It comes one day after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran and killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, throwing the future of the Islamic Republic into doubt and raising the risk of regional instability.
Iranian state television and the state-run IRNA news agency announced the 86-year-old’s death early Sunday. U.S. President Donald Trump had announced his death hours earlier, saying it gave Iranians their “greatest chance” to “take back” their country.
What to know so far:
- Khamenei has no known successor: The killing of the 86-year-old supreme leader appeared certain to create a leadership vacuum, given that he had final say on all major policies during his decades in power.
- Iran’s chief of army staff and defense minister killed in airstrike: Iran’s chief of army staff and defense minister were killed in an airstrike targeting a meeting of the country’s defense council, Iranian state television reported Sunday.
- A war powers debate in Congress is intensifying: Lawmakers will plunge into a rare war powers debate next week that could require Trump to obtain congressional approval for his military actions in Iran. Both the House and Senate, where the GOP has a slim majority, had already drafted such a resolution long before the latest strikes.
- How we got here: The joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran, which officials say was planned for months, followed unsuccessful negotiations about Iran’s nuclear program and warnings from Trump. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and targeting U.S. military installations in the region.
Live Updates
- 28 Feb 2026 10:42 PM IST
Israel launches new strikes on Iran
The Israeli military says it has launched a new wave of strikes targeting Iranian missile launchers and air defenses in central Iran.
Israel has been striking Iranian targets throughout the day. — AP
- 28 Feb 2026 10:18 PM IST
Life goes on for Palestinians in West Bank
Palestinians in the West Bank say they were largely unfazed, barely pausing as booms echoed across the sky from Israel’s Iron Dome intercepting missiles from Iran overhead.
Unlike Israel, Palestinian cities have no warning sirens or bomb shelters, despite the risk of falling debris or errant missiles. As people sheltered less than 10 miles away in Jerusalem, streets in Ramallah swarmed with shoppers browsing meat counters, vegetable stalls and Ramadan sweets, some stopping to record the sounds of distant sirens and missile interceptions.
But as Israel closed checkpoints to the movement of people and goods on Saturday, gas stations saw longer-than-usual lines as residents filled spare canisters in case of supply disruptions.
- 28 Feb 2026 10:17 PM IST
Morocco denounces Iran for attacking Gulf nations
Morocco, one of four countries to normalize ties with Israel in 2020 under the Trump-brokered Abraham Accords, has joined other Arab nations in condemning Iran for striking Gulf states, while remaining silent on the Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iran.
The North African kingdom’s foreign ministry said in a statement that it decried “the abject Iranian missile attack that violated the integrity and security of brotherly Arab states.”
- 28 Feb 2026 10:07 PM IST
Trump 'closely' monitoring Iran situation 'thoughout the day': White House
PALM BEACH, United States: US President Donald Trump and top aides were "closely" monitoring the Iran situation from his Florida resort on Saturday, the White House said, after the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran.
"The President and his national security team will continue to closely monitor the situation throughout the day," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X, adding that Trump also "monitored the situation overnight at Mar-a-Lago." — AFP
- 28 Feb 2026 10:01 PM IST
European Union will hold an emergency meeting on Mideast
The 27-nation bloc will hold an emergency security meeting on Monday over the conflict in the Middle East, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
“For regional security and stability, it is of the utmost importance that there is no further escalation through Iran’s unjustified attacks on partners in the region,” she said in a social media post. — AP
- 28 Feb 2026 9:56 PM IST
US urges commercial ships to avoid Gulf after US, Israel attack Iran
WASHINGTON: The US Transportation Department urged commercial vessels Saturday to stay away from the Gulf after the US and Israel launched heavy bombing attacks on Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea are subject to "significant military activity" and "it is recommended that vessels keep clear of this area if possible," the department's Maritime Administration said in a statement.
US-flagged, owned or crewed ships should also stay 30 nautical miles from any US military vessel to avoid being mistaken as a threat, it said. — AFP
- 28 Feb 2026 9:52 PM IST
UK calls on Iran to ‘end this now’
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says that while the U.K. didn’t participate in the attack on Iran, its planes provided air defense for its people and allies in the region.
“We’ve stepped up protections from British bases and personnel to their highest level,” Starmer said.
He didn’t comment on the attacks by the U.S. and Israel, but condemned Iran’s response that included strikes on many Middle East allies.
The Iranian leadership is “utterly abhorrent,” has killed its own people and destabilized the region and should never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, Starmer said.
He urged de-escalation and a return to negotiations to achieve peace and protect civilians.
“Iran can end this now,” he said. “They should refrain from further strikes, give up their weapons program and cease the appalling violence and repression against the Iranian people.” — AP
- 28 Feb 2026 9:51 PM IST
Drone targets Kuwait’s main airport
Kuwait’s civil aviation authority says a drone has targeted the capital’s main international airport and wounded several employees and caused material damage.
Abdullah Rajhi, spokesman of the civil aviation authority, says the damage is being assessed and repair work is ongoing.
He says that emergency measures are being taken, adding that the situation is under control. — AP
