People, Positions and Obituaries · 2 March 2026
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killed in Israeli-US strikes on Iran.
Exam-focused facts from the 2 March 2026 current affairs briefing.
Key facts
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, was killed at his office during joint Israeli-US attacks on Iran confirmed on 28 February 2026.
- Iranian state media announced a 40-day mourning period following his death.
- Khamenei had served as Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, succeeding Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
- The Supreme Leader held ultimate authority over all branches of government, the military and the judiciary in Iran.
- US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly confirmed Khamenei’s death on the same day.
- A senior Israeli official told Reuters that Khamenei’s body had been located.