BREAKING UPDATE — February 28, 2026: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has officially confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, hours after a devastating joint US-Israeli military strike leveled his compound in Tehran. The IRGC described him as a “great leader” and vowed that his death would make Iran “more determined to continue his path.”
40 Senior Iranian Officials Killed
According to CBS News sources, the US-Israeli strikes are believed to have killed approximately 40 senior Iranian officials, making this the most devastating leadership decapitation operation in modern military history. Among the confirmed dead alongside Khamenei is Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani.
President Trump confirmed Khamenei’s death on Truth Social, telling Iranians to “take back your country.” He also announced that “heavy and pinpoint bombing” of Iran would “continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary.”
Second Wave of Strikes Launched
The US and Israel launched a second round of strikes early Sunday morning local time, officials confirmed. This follows the initial predawn assault that targeted Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah under the codenames Operation Epic Fury (US) and Operation Roaring Lion (Israel).
Trump stated the operation’s objectives are to “prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests,” explicitly calling for regime change.
Iranian State Media Confirms Death
In a dramatic turn, Iranian state media — which initially denied reports of Khamenei’s death — confirmed the Supreme Leader was killed in the strikes. Satellite imagery shows his compound was heavily damaged or destroyed.
Khamenei had ruled Iran with an iron fist for nearly 37 years, succeeding Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989. His death raises the prospect of chaos and a power vacuum in an already turbulent region.
Celebrations in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, home to the largest Iranian diaspora population outside of Iran (over 200,000), celebrations erupted in the streets. Iranian-Americans waved pre-1979 revolution flags and expressed gratitude.
“We all want to say thank you to President Trump,” said Saghar Fanisalek, owner of Taste of Tehran in L.A. “This is the only person who supports us in the last 50 years. Every single person in Iran knew that the only way that this regime was going to go away is to attack them.”
Iran’s Retaliatory Strikes Continue
Despite the devastating losses, Iran has unleashed retaliatory missile strikes across the region, targeting US military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the UAE. The Houthis in Yemen have also announced they will resume Red Sea attacks.
The Iranian Red Crescent reports 201 killed — including at least 85 civilians in a strike on a school — and 747 injured across Iran.
What Comes Next
With a second wave already underway and Trump promising strikes will continue “throughout the week,” the crisis shows no signs of de-escalation. The death of 40 senior officials has effectively decapitated Iran’s leadership structure, but Iran’s military apparatus continues to function and retaliate.
The United Nations and multiple world leaders have condemned the strikes, with French President Macron warning of “grave consequences for international peace and security.”
This is a developing story being updated continuously.