LIVE: Khamenei Killed, Senior Israeli Official Says
Israel, in coordination with the United States, begins military operation targeting what Netanyahu calls an “existential nuclear threat” from Iran; thanks Donald Trump and urges Israelis to follow Home Front Command guidelines.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei killed, senior Israeli official says
Reuters: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who turned the country into a powerful anti-U.S. force and extended its military influence across the Middle East while crushing repeated domestic unrest, was killed in Israeli, U.S. strikes, senior Israeli official told Reuters on Saturday.
Signs Are Growing: Netanyahu Hints Khamenei is Dead Following Massive US-Israel Strikes
Explosions cause panic among Iranians
No breakthrough this week in US-Iran nuclear talks
Iran's supreme leader moved to a secure location
Gulf Arab oil producers are on edge
WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM/DUBAI/DOHA, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested on Saturday that Israel and the United States had killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and called on Iranians to "take to the streets and finish the job."
There were many signs indicating Khamenei "is no longer", Netanyahu said without explicitly confirming his death.
He said Khamenei's compound had been destroyed, and Revolutionary Guard commanders and senior nuclear officials had ben destroyed.
Earlier, Iran's Al-Alam television has said Khamenei would speak, but no such speech was aired by late on Saturday.
The United States and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday, targeting its top leaders and calling for the overthrow of its government, while Iran responded with missiles fired at Israel and neighbouring Gulf countries.
President Donald Trump, who in the biggest foreign-policy gamble of his presidency launched the war against a foe Washington has jousted with for generations, said the strikes were aimed at ending a security threat and ensuring Iran could not develop a nuclear weapon.
He called on Iranian security forces to lay down their weapons and invited Iranians to topple their government once the bombing ended.
Tehran called the strikes, which began in the morning hours and hit targets in different areas of the country, unprovoked and illegal.
In cities across Iran, explosions caused widespread panic. Residents rushed to collect children from school and flee areas that might be targeted.
"We are scared, we are terrified. My children are shaking, we have nowhere to go, we will die here," mother-of-two Minou, 32, said weeping as she spoke to Reuters by phone from the northern city of Tabriz. - Reuters
The U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on targets across Iran on Saturday.
U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iranians to take cover during the strikes, but then said “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take.” It was an extraordinary appeal that suggested the allies could be seeking to end of the country’s theocracy after decades of tensions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed that sweeping goal. “Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands,” Netanyahu said.
In a video posted on social media, Trump claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach the U.S.
The first strikes of the attack appeared to target the compound home to Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in downtown Tehran. It wasn’t immediately clear if he was there at the time. Smoke could be seen rising from the Iranian capital.
Iran responded as it had been threatening to do for months — first launching a wave of missiles and drones targeting Israel. It followed with strikes targeting U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. The United Arab Emirates and Iraq shut down their airspace.
It also wasn’t immediately clear whether the 86-year-old Khamenei was in his offices at the time. He hasn’t been seen publicly in days as tensions with the United States have grown. The attack comes as the United States has assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear program.
Live Updates
- 28 Feb 2026 2:59 PM IST
Due to regional hostilities, the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the U.S. Consulate in Dubai have instructed staff to shelter-in-place (i.e., take cover). We recommend all Americans in the UAE do the same until further notice: US embassy in UAE.
- 28 Feb 2026 2:56 PM IST
Bahrain says the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet has been targeted by a missile attack.
Meanwhile, The United Arab Emirates on Saturday closed its airspace as Israel and the United States conducted strikes on Iran. AP reports
- 28 Feb 2026 2:50 PM IST
Iran ballistic missile hits US naval base in #Bahrain; Israel launches more missiles
- 28 Feb 2026 2:46 PM IST
Following the launch of Operation “Roaring Lion,” the Israel Police has prepared for all scenarios and has deployed significant forces across the field.
We call on the public to remain attentive and strictly follow official instructions. Do not approach missile impact sites or areas of destruction, and allow police and emergency forces to carry out life-saving operations without interference.
In any unusual or emergency situation, report immediately to the police emergency hotline 100. For information, contact the police information center at 110.
- 28 Feb 2026 2:38 PM IST
The Pentagon on Saturday has dubbed the US combat operations over Iran as "Operation Epic Fury."
The formal title, announced via a social media post, formalises the combat operations over Iran as a major US military operation.
The Trump administration similarly formalised last year's strikes on Iran's nuclear sites as "Operation Midnight Hammer" and his strike to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this year as "Operation Absolute Resolve
- 28 Feb 2026 2:33 PM IST
Explosions heard in northern Israel as the country works to intercept incoming Iranian missiles after launching a nationwide attack with U.S. on Iran.
