Iran has confirmed that its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been killed. Statements from President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made clear that the goal was not a diplomatic settlement of the nuclear dispute but the overthrow of the Islamic Republic. Eighty-six-year-old Khamenei has dominated the Islamic Republic’s hierarchy — first as president from 1981 and, since 1989, as the successor to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Few tears will be shed for Khamenei but his killing does not automatically mean the fall of the regime. The Islamic Republic is deeply entrenched.

Source: Indian Express March 02, 2026 07:30 UTC