Following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, the situation in the Middle East has rapidly deteriorated. For a second consecutive day, Tehran launched large-scale missile and drone attacks against multiple Gulf countries. Explosions were reported in Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, and Tel Aviv. Regional airspace was nearly shut down, with tens of thousands of flights delayed or canceled.
According to the Daily Mail on March 1, Iran confirmed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint U.S.–Israeli airstrike at the age of 86. Israeli warplanes reportedly dropped 30 bombs on his residence. In addition to Khamenei, four family members and two senior military officers — Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani and Major General Mohammad Pakpour — were also killed in the strike.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly viewed photographs of the body. Trump later warned Iran on social media that any further escalation would be met with “unprecedented force.”
After initially denying the reports, Iranian authorities announced that Khamenei had been “martyred” and declared a 40-day nationwide mourning period. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said a temporary leadership committee would be established.
Missiles and drones strike multiple Gulf states
Iran vowed to launch the most intense offensive in its history, claiming it had struck 27 U.S. military bases. The Daily Mail reported that Iran fired 137 ballistic missiles at the United Arab Emirates, of which 132 were intercepted. Another 209 suicide drones were launched, most of which were shot down by air defense systems.
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Explosions were heard in Dubai for two consecutive days. Landmarks — including the seven-star Burj Al Arab hotel, the Palm artificial island, and areas near the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa — saw explosions or missile interceptions lighting up the sky. Parts of Dubai International Airport were damaged and temporarily evacuated. A fire broke out at Jebel Ali Port.
Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi was struck, killing one person and injuring seven. Bahrain’s air defense systems intercepted at least 45 missiles. An oil tanker off Oman’s coast was attacked, injuring four crew members. Iran also announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, placing global energy transportation at significant risk.
According to The Independent on March 1, explosions were again heard early that morning in Dubai and in Doha, the capital of Qatar, largely attributed to interception efforts. The British Ambassador to the UAE, Edward Hobart, urged British citizens to shelter in place.
Israel strikes Tehran again; Washington issues stern warning
The Israel Defense Forces announced that the operation, codenamed “Operation Roaring Lion,” marked the first time the Israeli Air Force targeted core sites in Tehran to establish air superiority.
Trump posted on Truth Social warning that if Iran continued its attacks, the United States would respond with force “the likes of which has never been seen before.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the United Kingdom did not participate in the strikes, though the Royal Air Force remains in a defensive posture.
Meanwhile, a residential building in Tel Aviv was hit by a missile, killing at least one person and injuring several others. Air raid sirens have been sounding frequently across Israel.
Social shock: panic and division
Many airports across the Gulf region have closed, with approximately 20,000 flights delayed or canceled. Several celebrities in Dubai shared footage of explosions on social media, describing it as “the most terrifying night.”
Within Iran, reactions have been complex. State media declared that the “martyrdom” would inspire an uprising against oppressors, while some citizens reportedly took to the streets celebrating what they viewed as the decapitation of the regime. The Iranian government has long faced controversy over strict religious laws and suppression of dissent.