US and Israel Launch Airstrikes on Iran, Killing Supreme Leader Khamenei Amid Rising Regional Tensions

In late February 2026, the US and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on Iran, targeting military and leadership sites, including the compound of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed. The strikes, named Operation Epic Fury by the US, aimed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and to prompt regime change. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israel and Gulf states, escalating regional tensions. The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting, with calls for de-escalation amid fears of wider conflict. President Trump justified the strikes as necessary despite risks of US casualties and urged Iranians to seize control of their government. The operation marks a significant shift in US foreign policy, drawing mixed reactions globally and raising concerns about prolonged instability in the Middle East.