Israeli-American Airstrikes Kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Amid Escalation; Iran Retaliates with Missiles Threatening Regional Security

On February 28, 2026, Ali Khamenei, Iran's 86-year-old Supreme Leader, was killed in Israeli-American airstrikes on Tehran. The operation was based on months of CIA tracking, originally planned for nighttime but executed earlier than scheduled. This bold strike intensified military tension in the region, with the Israeli army conducting further airstrikes on March 1 targeting Tehran's 'terrorist regime' and reporting large explosions in northern parts of the city. The Israeli Air Force aims to establish air superiority to facilitate ongoing operations.

Brigadier General Effie Defrin, spokesperson for the Israeli army, indicated that approximately half of Iran’s missile stocks were destroyed in an operation during the June 2025 conflict, preventing production of at least 1,500 additional missiles. Despite these efforts, Iran’s missile production has been ramping up from several dozen to potentially hundreds per month—highlighting persistent threats.

In retaliation, Iran launched two ballistic missiles toward the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, according to British Defence Minister John Healey. Although he believes the missiles were not intended to strike Cyprus directly, Healey described the Iranian attacks as increasingly indiscriminate and reckless. The UK has responded by bolstering its defensive capabilities with combat aircraft operating from UK and Qatar bases to protect personnel and allies in the Middle East.

Amid the escalating conflict, maritime security in the Gulf has been severely affected. Major shipping companies CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd have suspended vessel navigation in the Gulf, rerouting ships around the Cape of Good Hope and suspending Suez Canal transits. The European Union Naval Force noted that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards are broadcasting warnings that passage through the Strait of Hormuz is unauthorized. The US has advised commercial vessels to maintain a safe distance from military ships, while increased insurance premiums are anticipated due to the heightened risks in the region.

Thousands of Iranians protested across Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan during the 40-day mourning period for Khamenei, reflecting internal unrest amid external pressures. This combination of assassinations, military airstrikes, missile launches, and regional maritime disruptions underscores a deepening crisis with widespread implications for Middle Eastern and international security.