El complejo de seguridad del ayatollah Alí Khamenei (Créditos: The New York Times)
On February 28, 2026, Israeli and U.S. forces carried out a significant joint military operation against the Islamic Republic of Iran, marking one of the most dramatic escalations in regional tensions in recent years. According to multiple Israeli and international media reports, among the intended targets of the strikes were Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and President Masoud Pezeshkian, though the results of those specific attacks remain unclear at the time of reporting. (L'Orient Today)
Details of the Strikes and Targeting
Israeli public broadcaster KAN and other outlets reported that both Khamenei and Pezeshkian were specifically listed as targets in the opening phase of the attacks. Other senior political and military figures were also reportedly targeted. However, there has been no independent official confirmation from Iran regarding the fate of those leaders. (L'Orient Today)
According to some sources, Israel’s forces stated that the strikes were aimed at “high-profile targets involved in planning attacks against Israel.” But the same sources emphasized that it was not yet clear whether the objectives were achieved. (L'Orient Today)
Contradictory Reports About Leadership Status
In the chaotic aftermath of the strikes, Iranian state media and officials have pushed back against reports of casualties among top leaders:
Iranian outlets and government statements have reported that President Pezeshkian is alive and in good health, dismissing rumors that he was killed or wounded in the strikes. (A News)
Other Iranian sources also claimed that senior figures including the president and other top leadership remain “in perfect health.” (The Express Tribune)
For Ayatollah Khamenei, reports are more mixed — with some sources quoting that he was not in Tehran at the time and had been moved to a secure location, while others have not provided confirmation of his current whereabouts. The situation remains highly fluid. (Gazeta Express)
Wider Military and Regional Impact
The targeting of Iran’s top leadership is part of a much broader military escalation involving air and missile strikes across multiple Iranian cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, and Tabriz. Explosions were widely reported, infrastructure was struck, and multiple U.S. and Israeli military assets were involved in the coordinated operation. (Le Monde.fr)
In response, Iran is said to have launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks against Israeli territory and U.S. bases across the Middle East, indicating that the confrontation could quickly widen beyond the initial strikes. (The Guardian)
International Reactions
The global community has responded with a mix of outrage, concern, and calls for restraint:
Russia condemned the strikes as “unprovoked aggression,” warning they could lead to humanitarian and regional instability. (AP News)
Countries in the Gulf and elsewhere have expressed alarm at the escalation and urged diplomatic engagement.
Uncertain Future
As of now, key questions remain unanswered:
Were the strikes successful in hitting their primary targets?
What is the exact condition and location of Iran’s top leaders?
Will Iran continue direct retaliation, or will diplomatic channels re-open?
The situation is developing rapidly, with limited verified information coming out of Iran due to communication restrictions and chaotic conditions on the ground.
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