Iran vows revenge for Ali Jamenei's death

The death of the leader opens a period of uncertainty and conflict in the Middle East.

Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday, March 1, that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had died. An Israeli senior official had previously told Reuters that the Iranian leader’s body was found after an attack, and U.S. President Donald Trump later said that the United States had closely collaborated with Israel to pursue the man who has led Iran since the 1980s.

Iran described the attacks as unprovoked and illegal and responded with missiles launched against Israel and at least seven other countries, including Gulf states that host U.S. bases.

“As long as necessary.”

Trump, in what he called the biggest foreign‑policy gamble of his second term after campaigning for re‑election as the “president of peace,” said the attacks were intended to end a decades‑long threat from Iran and to ensure that the country does not develop a nuclear weapon.

“Intelligence and tracking systems monitored Khamenei’s whereabouts,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding: “There was nothing he or the other leaders who were killed with him could do.”