TEHRAN, Iran — Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader for nearly four decades, has been killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli attack, President Donald Trump announced Saturday, February 28, 2026. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the region and raises questions about the future of Iran’s political landscape.
“This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS,” Trump said in a social media post.
While Iranian officials have not yet publicly confirmed Khamenei’s death, reports from Tehran indicate celebrations erupted following news of the attack. Witnesses described loud cheers and residents applauding and playing celebratory music, according to reports.
Khamenei, 86, assumed the role of supreme leader in 1989, succeeding Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Prior to that, he served as the country’s president from 1981 to 1989. He was selected by Khomeini as his successor.
The attack follows a period of escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, with Khamenei previously vowing that Iran would not yield to external pressures. In June 2025, he stated, “War will be met with war, bombing with bombing, and strike with strike. Iran will not submit to any demands or dictates,” as reported by Iran’s semi-official state news agency, Tasnim.
According to PBS NewsHour, the major attack was launched by Israel and the United States, resulting in Khamenei’s assassination. USA Today also reported on the announcement made by President Trump on February 28.
The development underscores growing regional tensions and could have significant implications for the future of the Middle East. The announcement could influence future diplomatic talks and the broader geopolitical landscape.
Further reports indicate that several Iranian officials were also killed in the strikes, including a senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to Franceinfo.
