On March 1, 2026, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a coordinated military strike conducted by the United States and Israel. US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the news, stating that a “pinpoint” strike targeted Khamenei’s main compound in Tehran. It is reported that along with the Supreme Leader, several family members and top IRGC officials also lost their lives in the attack. Following this event, a 40-day period of national mourning has been declared in Iran, leaving a massive leadership vacuum in the country’s governance. In retaliation, Iran and its proxy groups launched hundreds of missile and drone attacks on US and Israeli military bases across the Middle East, pushing regional tensions to the brink of full-scale war. Meanwhile, despite heavy internet censorship, reports of public celebrations have emerged from various Iranian cities, with many viewing this as a potential end to decades of repression. However, uncertainty remains regarding whether his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, survived the strikes, further complicating the internal power struggle for succession.