Israel say end of Iran’s Shia theocratic era, amid heightened conflict and the reported death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Tel Aviv, March 1: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday claimed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei died in a targeted strike inside his leadership compound in central Tehran. Israel called the operation the end of a decades-long campaign of hostility against the Jewish state.
Israeli officials said Israel and the United States carried out the strike together. They described it as a historic shift in Iran’s 46-year-old Shia theocratic rule. The IDF also said Iran’s retaliation has fueled fresh tensions across parts of the Middle East.
In its statement, the IDF said the Israeli Air Force launched the strike using precise intelligence inputs. Fighter jets hit the leadership complex in the heart of Tehran. Khamenei was reportedly inside the compound with other senior officials at the time.
Israel portrayed Khamenei as the driving force behind what it called Iran’s “terrorist regime” since 1989. The IDF accused him of promoting an extremist agenda against Israel and Western countries. It also blamed him for years of harsh crackdowns on Iranian citizens.
The IDF described Khamenei as the architect of plans aimed at destroying the State of Israel. It called him the “head of the Iranian octopus.” Israeli officials claimed he expanded Iran’s reach across the Middle East through allied groups such as Hezbollah. They held him responsible for attacks on Israel and for supporting militant actions that harmed civilians worldwide.
The military said the strike formed part of a broader campaign against what it termed the “Iranian terror axis.”
Besides, it added that Israeli forces have targeted several senior figures aligned with Tehran during the ongoing war.
The IDF stressed that the operation reflects its commitment to defend Israel. It said it will strike any threat to Israeli citizens, anywhere and at any time.
Earlier on Sunday, the IDF reported that Israeli Air Force jets dropped more than 1,200 munitions across Iran within 24 hours.
The strikes hit key military assets, including ballistic missile launchers and air defense systems. Israel said it will continue its offensive operations. (Edited)