The United States and Israel launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday.
Some of the first strikes appeared to hit areas around the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. Smoke was seen rising from the capital, and Iranian media reported strikes nationwide. It is not immediately clear whether the 86-year-old leader was in his offices during the attack.
President Donald Trump called on the Iranian public to “seize control of your destiny” and rise up against the Islamic leadership that has ruled the nation since 1979.
Israeli officials told The Associated Press that Khamenei is dead. There has been no immediate comment from the U.S. or Iranian authorities.
President Donald J. Trump on the United States military combat operations in Iran: pic.twitter.com/LimJmpLkgZ
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 28, 2026
In remarks following the strikes, Trump called on the Iranian public to “seize control of your destiny” and rise up against the country’s Islamic leadership.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address there are growing signs that Khamenei “is no longer alive,” although that has not been independently confirmed.
Iranian state media say at least 201 people have been killed.
(Missiles Over Doha As Iran Retaliates For U.S.-Israel Attack / Photo by Yousef Masoud/Getty Images)
Earlier, Iran retaliated to the U.S. and Israeli attacks by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and U.S. military bases in the region.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is urging Canadians in Iran to shelter in place. He says Canada supports U.S. action aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and “further threatening international peace and security.”
My statement on Iran-related hostilities in the Middle East: pic.twitter.com/NcC8Pzq2Ba
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) February 28, 2026
