Iran's Supreme Leader Killed
US President Donald Trump has officially confirmed the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The death resulted from a joint high-tech operation conducted by the United States and Israel, which involved dropping 30 bombs on the complex where Khamenei was located. Israeli media reports, citing journalist Amit Segal, indicate the ayatollah was almost certainly killed in an airstrike carried out by the Israeli Air Force. This event marks a dramatic escalation in the long-standing covert and overt conflict between these nations.
Military Actions and Their Consequences
The operation followed a statement by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on February 28, announcing the start of a preemptive strike against Iran. A series of explosions were subsequently heard in Tehran. The attack was a response to repeated warnings from the US and Israel. In retaliation for the military action, Iran launched missile attacks that reached several countries in the Persian Gulf. These attacks paralyzed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and halted air traffic at major hubs, including Dubai.
This situation triggered a sharp rise in the price of Brent crude oil. Investors, reacting to the escalation of the conflict, began moving their assets en masse into gold and Swiss francs. Donald Trump remarked that
"this is not only an act of justice for the Iranian people, but also retribution for the numerous American and other foreign victims who have suffered from the actions of the Tehran regime and its security forces."
Khamenei's death could have serious consequences for regional stability and the geopolitical situation in the Middle East. Iran, already under pressure from sanctions and isolation, may intensify its military actions in response, contributing to further escalation of the conflict. Furthermore, the rise in oil prices demonstrates the market's sensitivity to instability in this strategically vital region, which could impact the global economy and energy markets.