A wave of Israeli airstrikes targeted “the heart of Tehran” this Sunday—the second day of its war alongside the U.S. To overthrow the Iranian regime—where tens of thousands mourn and vow revenge for the death of Supreme Leader Ali Jamenei. His death was confirmed in the early hours by a presenter on national television, reading a statement from the Defense Council. Israel revealed Sunday that its air force launched the bomb against the complex in the capital where he was meeting with other senior officials. A red flag, a symbol of vengeance, now flies atop the Jamkaran mosque in Qom, a prominent center of Shia study and pilgrimage. Since morning, Iran has launched up to four waves of missiles against Israel, where sirens are sounding frequently.
The Israeli air force is striking the Iranian capital again. At least ten attacks in four waves have been reported. Television images show columns of smoke. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed: “In the coming days, we will attack thousands of targets of the terrorist regime. We will create conditions for the brave people of Iran to free themselves from the chains of tyranny.” Netanyahu urged Iranian citizens to rebel against the power structure, stating, “Citizens of Iran, do not miss this opportunity.”
Three U.S. Soldiers have died and five are seriously injured in Operation Epic Fury, the Pentagon reported Sunday, adding it will not provide further information out of respect for the families involved. The U.S.-Israel offensive has killed at least 200 people and injured 700 across the country since yesterday, according to the Red Crescent.
In addition to Ayatollah Ali Jamenei, seven high-ranking Iranian officials are among the victims, including Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh and Commander of the Revolutionary Guard, Mohamed Pakpur. Iranian forces responded yesterday by launching missiles and drones against U.S. Bases in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, as well as against Israel.
In the deadliest strike by Iran against Israel in two days of war and in retaliation for the death of its supreme leader, the impact of a missile on a municipal shelter has caused at least nine deaths and 28 injuries, two of them critical, according to health services. A video captured the moment the missile caused a fire upon impact next to a synagogue in the town of Beit Shemesh, in the center of the country.
The Fars news agency, linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, reported “several massive explosions” this Sunday in an area where institutions and ministries are located. No casualties have been reported from this attack.
The same air force has taken credit for the assassination of Jamenei, in the initial wave of bombings that triggered a regional war in which Iran has already fired against all countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The latest, Oman, which served as a mediator between Washington and Tehran.
The Israeli army indicated in a statement that the supreme leader “was the target of a precise and large-scale operation” carried out by its Air Force. In another statement, the Israeli armed forces said they eliminated 40 high-ranking targets during Operation Lion’s Roar, calling it “a historic attack made possible by the guidance of intelligence from the Israel Defense Forces [IDF].”
The U.S. Had been monitoring Jamenei’s movements for months, learning more about his routines and whereabouts, according to The New York Times. When U.S. Intelligence learned on Saturday that he would be meeting with other senior officials and was almost certainly at the compound, the information was passed to Israel, which carried out the attack, which also killed his daughter, granddaughter, and son-in-law.
With Iran mourning Jamenei’s death, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to attack it with “a force like never before” if it carries out its promise of revenge, warning, “They better not do it.”
In statements directed at Trump and Netanyahu, the President of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, said: “We will inflict such terrible blows on you that you yourselves will be forced to beg.” He continued, “I inform Trump, Netanyahu, their agents and proxies, I repeat, I tell these two vile criminals and all their agents: you have crossed our red line and you must pay the price.”
Tehran has confirmed this morning the deaths of other leaders previously reported as “eliminated” by Israel, including Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Abdorrahim Musavi. These deaths join those of the Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Mohamad Pakpur, and the Secretary of the Defense Council, Ali Shamjani.
The regime has completed the triumvirate that will lead the country until the designation of Jamenei’s successor with the appointment of Alireza Arafi, 67, as the representative of Islamic jurists on the Council of Leadership of Iran, according to the semi-official ISNA news agency. That body will perform the functions of the supreme leader until a cleric is appointed to the position.
The other two members of the Leadership Council are the country’s president, the pragmatic Masud Pezeshkian, and the president of the Supreme Court, the hardline ultraconservative Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei.
Israel has recorded its first fatality. Authorities have confirmed the death of a woman due to the impact of one of the 200 missiles Iran launched against Israel during the day in a residential area of Tel Aviv, in retaliation for the attack.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on Sunday, March 1st, 2026?
Israeli airstrikes targeted Tehran, following the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Jamenei. Iran responded by launching missiles against Israel and bases in multiple countries in the Gulf region.
Who was Ali Jamenei?
Ali Jamenei was the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran from 1989 until his death on February 28, 2026.
What is the Council of Leadership of Iran?
The Council of Leadership of Iran is a body comprised of Alireza Arafi, Masud Pezeshkián, and Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, which will perform the functions of the Supreme Leader until a successor is designated.
As the situation continues to unfold, what impact will these events have on the broader geopolitical landscape of the Middle East?
