– World on Edge as U.S. and Israel Kill Iran’s Supreme Leader in Major Military Strike — Global Reactions, Retaliation and Uncertainty Grow

In a dramatic and unprecedented escalation of the long-running tensions between Tehran, Washington, and Jerusalem, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been confirmed killed in a joint military operation by the United States and Israel.

Iranian state media announced his death on March 1, 2026, a day after the strikes began.

The campaign, described by U.S. and Israeli officials as a concerted effort to degrade Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure, involved extensive air and missile strikes across multiple Iranian cities, including Tehran.

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly confirmed Khamenei’s death, framing it as a blow to a regime they have long accused of supporting terrorism and pursuing nuclear weapons.

The death of the 86-year-old cleric — who had led the Islamic Republic since 1989 and wielded ultimate authority over Iran’s government, military, and judiciary — marks one of the most consequential moments in Middle East geopolitics in decades.

Iran has declared a 40-day mourning period and termed the killing a “great crime,” while its newly empowered leaders have vowed revenge and retaliation.

Within Iran, state and Revolutionary Guard channels have condemned the strikes and reported ongoing bombardment and missile exchanges.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced “counter-strikes” targeting U.S. and Israeli military positions around the region, with explosions reported in several Gulf countries and heightened alerts across Middle Eastern capitals.

International reactions have been sharply divided.

Some Western leaders expressed hope that the removal of a hardline figure could open space for change in Iran, while Russia, China, and several Muslim-majority states condemned the strikes as violations of sovereignty that risk broader conflict.

The United Nations Security Council has called emergency sessions amid fears of a larger regional war.

Global markets and oil prices reacted to the uncertainty, with investors bracing for ripple effects on energy supplies and geopolitical risk.

Analysts warn that the power vacuum inside Iran could fuel internal strife and empower hardline elements, even as opposition voices within the country see the moment as an opportunity for political transformation.

As of now, the situation remains fluid. Diplomatic efforts are under way to prevent a full-scale war, but threats of further retaliation and mutual escalation persist.