| United Kingdom
| general
| ✓ Verified - bbc.co.uk
Iran's Supreme Leader killed in US-Israeli strikes
#Iran Supreme Leader#US-Israeli strikes#Ayatollah Khamenei#Revolutionary Guard#Gulf region#UN Security Council#Capitol Hill
📌 Key Takeaways
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader for 36 years, was killed in US-Israeli strikes
Iran announced a 40-day mourning period while many citizens reportedly celebrated
The Revolutionary Guard vowed retaliation and is carrying out strikes across the Gulf region
The event has triggered strong international reactions at the UN and in the US
📖 Full Retelling
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in his office on Saturday, March 1, 2026, during coordinated US-Israeli strikes that ended his 36-year iron rule over the Islamic Republic. The dramatic assassination of one of the Middle East's most influential leaders has sent shockwaves through the region and international community, with Iranian authorities immediately declaring a 40-day mourning period while reports indicate many Iranians have taken to the streets to celebrate the end of his regime. The Revolutionary Guard, the elite military force loyal to the Islamic Republic, has vowed to punish the 'murderers' and has reportedly begun carrying out retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region, heightening tensions in an already volatile area. The death of Khamenei has triggered strong reactions at the United Nations Security Council and on Capitol Hill, where world leaders and policymakers are urgently assessing the implications for regional stability and global security.
Ali Hosseini Khamenei (born 19 April 1939) is an Iranian cleric and politician who has served as the second supreme leader of Iran since 1989. He previously served as the third president of Iran from 1981 to 1989. His tenure as supreme leader, spanning 36 years, makes him the longest-serving head of...
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with ensuring international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the Charter of the United Nations, include establishing peacekeeping operations, imposing international sanctions...
The Persian Gulf, sometimes called the Arabian Gulf, is a mediterranean sea in West Asia. The body of water is an extension of the Arabian Sea and the larger Indian Ocean located between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran (Persia). It is connected to the Gulf of Oman in the east by the Strait of Hormuz.
Episode details World Service , · 01 Mar 2026 , · 26 mins Iran's Supreme Leader killed in US-Israeli strikes Global News Podcast Play Bookmark Bookmark Subscribe Subscribe Available for 89 days Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been killed in his office by US and Israeli strikes - ending his 36-year iron rule of the Islamic Republic. As the government announces a 40 day mourning period, many Iranians have reportedly taken to the streets to celebrate. The Revolutionary Guard has promised to punish the "murderers", and is carrying out retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region. There have been strong reactions at the UN Security Council and on Capitol Hill. So who's now in charge of Iran? And what does this mean for the rest of the world? We get analysis from BBC Persian and our international correspondents about the significance of this moment. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Image credit: Iranian supreme leader's office handout/EPA/Shutterstock Programme Website Show less More episodes