Supreme Leader Killed as US and Israeli Strikes Hit Tehran

What We Know About the US-Israeli Military Operation Against Iran

According to Главком: In a major escalation, the United States and Israel have launched a coordinated military operation against Iran. The Israel Defense Forces announced the start of large-scale strikes on infrastructure in Tehran on March 6. Iran reported explosions in its capital and initiated retaliatory strikes. The conflict has resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This event marks a pivotal moment in the long-standing geopolitical rivalry between Iran and the US-Israeli alliance.

The aerial bombardment of Tehran began in the early hours of Friday, March 6. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir confirmed the operation was moving to its next phase, being conducted with active US coordination. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also confirmed the decision to strike. US President Donald Trump stated that America had initiated a major military operation in Iran, declaring,

"we will destroy the threat from the brutal Iranian regime."

This operation followed Israel's declaration of a state of emergency and its attack on Iran on February 28. News of Ali Khamenei's death emerged on March 1, prompting Iran to announce a 40-day mourning period. On March 2, Iran declared it was moving to a state of military confrontation with the American-Israeli alliance. Global oil prices surged sharply the same day.

As of March 6, combat operations are ongoing. According to Axios, Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone call on February 23, after which the decision to launch the operation was made. Per Politico, US military leadership anticipates combat could last for several months, potentially until September. The situation has sent shockwaves through global diplomatic and financial circles, highlighting the region's volatility.

This military campaign reflects an intensification of tensions in the Middle East that have been building for years. The killing of Ali Khamenei, a consequence of US and Israeli actions, is likely to have profound implications for Iran's domestic politics and its foreign policy strategy. Simultaneously, active hostilities threaten to destabilize global markets, particularly oil prices, which have already begun climbing on news of the conflict.