Khamenei Dead; Iranian President and Chief Judiciary to Assume Leadership

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been killed in a joint United States-Israeli military strike on Tehran. A three-member council comprising the nation’s president, chief judiciary, and a constitutional law expert will temporarily assume all leadership duties in Iran.

According to Iran’s official news agency IRNA, cited by Al Jazeera on Sunday (1 March 2026), the council will oversee the transition of power whilst maintaining Iran’s governmental functions.

The US and Israel conducted the military operation, which Iran characterises as a violation of its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Iran reported that the strikes targeted numerous defence and civilian facilities across various cities throughout the country.

On Sunday (1 March), Iran officially confirmed the death of its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as a result of the attack. The nation simultaneously announced a 40-day period of national mourning.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) declared that the most intense offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic would commence imminently. Iran has swiftly vowed retaliatory action for Khamenei’s death.

“The heaviest offensive operation in the history of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will commence shortly against the occupied territories and bases of American terrorism,” the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps stated.