Israeli Media Claims 30 Senior Iranian Officials Killed in Initial Strike
Israeli media reported that the country’s air force killed 30 senior Iranian officials in an opening strike against Tehran, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. According to reports published by Channel 12’s N12 outlet, the strike was executed with remarkable speed.
Amid claims of operational success, warnings have emerged regarding potential differences in stance between Israel and the United States regarding the continuation of the war. “We are only at the beginning, and we still have a campaign for at least several days ahead,” said senior Israeli political and security officials.
Several other Israeli media outlets highlighted the operation’s reportedly meticulous planning, including intensive coordination between the Israeli military and the United States, as well as the high level of intelligence accuracy in executing the strike.
However, defence analyst Yoav Limor in his column in Israel Hayom cautioned about the potential emergence of differing stances between Washington and Tel Aviv. “Israel has the patience and readiness to continue this war for several days or weeks, or even longer,” he stated. But he added that it remains unclear whether Trump possesses the same level of patience and composure.
A similar view was presented by senior journalist Nahum Barnea in Yedioth Ahronoth. “For America, this is a war of choice, but for Israel this is a war of necessity,” he wrote.
Although US President Donald Trump has thus far demonstrated full support for Israel, he has also warned of the possibility of changing American public opinion towards his main ally, particularly if the conflict becomes prolonged and widespread in its impact.
Analyst Dina Sulaeman assessed that Iran’s leadership transition following Ali Khamenei’s death would proceed smoothly due to the institutional system and the role of the Assembly of Experts. Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani stated that the Assembly of Experts would shortly commence the process of selecting a new Supreme Leader following Khamenei’s death.
Iran’s Embassy in Indonesia welcomed the mediation offer by President Prabowo Subianto amid the conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel, whilst requesting a firm stance from Jakarta.
Operational conditions at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali faced serious challenges in early March 2026. Surveillance at Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport has been intensified following the cancellation of five flights to several Middle Eastern nations due to escalation of the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran.
The Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) urged the Indonesian government to withdraw from the Board of Peace following the strike by the United States and Israel against Iran.
Millions of Iranian citizens took to the streets in Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad to condemn the US-Israeli strike that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed regret over the strike by the United States and Israel against Iran that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, rendering nuclear negotiations moot.