US-Israel airstrikes kill top Iranian security official; Khamenei's palace hit

Amid the escalating war in the Middle East, the first official casualty has been reported from Iran. Ali Shamkhani, a longtime Iranian security official and secretary of Iran’s Defense Council, was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes, marking the loss of a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to Iran International. The development signals a sharp intensification of hostilities between Tehran and its adversaries.A full-blown conflict has broken out in the region after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, triggering retaliatory strikes from Tehran and its allies, Hezbollah and the Houthis. Missiles were fired towards Tel Aviv and US bases in Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain on Saturday.

Ali Shamkhani, a longtime Iranian security official and secretary of Iran's Defense Council, was reported killed in US-Israeli airstrikes, marking the loss of a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. https://t.co/MHX6zFGNF7 pic.twitter.com/nPJPE205NS

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) February 28, 2026

According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the strikes aimed to cripple the Islamic Republic’s military and political leadership, Among the targets struck Saturday morning was the Tehran palace of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which was completely destroyed, as well as dozens of other military and regime targets across the country. Khamenei, President Masoud Pezeshkian and top regime and military commanders were targeted, according to an Israeli official, though the results of the strikes were unclear. According to satellite imagery Khamenei’s palace in the heart of Tehran was completely destroyed, with smoldering rubble seen.

We obtained the first known satellite image of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's compound in Tehran. There are several destroyed buildings. While the current whereabouts of Iran's supreme leader are unknown, the compound is generally used as his official residence. @Airbus pic.twitter.com/48krjclMBL

— Christiaan Triebert (@trbrtc) February 28, 2026

Several senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders and political officials were killed in the strikes, an Iranian source close to the establishment told Reuters. According to Israeli officials, Israel assesses that the commander of the IRGC, Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, was likely killed, as well as the minister of defense and chief of intelligence.
Military tensions escalated sharply in the Middle East after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran, triggering explosions across several Iranian cities, including reports of a blast in Chabahar.US President Donald Trump confirmed what he described as a “major combat operation” aimed at degrading Iran’s military capabilities and eliminating the threat of its nuclear weapons programme. Israel said the US-led operation, codenamed “Epic Fury,” involved pre-emptive strikes.United States President Donald Trump said the US has begun “major combat operations” in Iran after Israel confirmed it had launched missile attacks against the country. Iran retaliated by targeting Israeli positions and US assets across multiple Middle Eastern nations, including Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq. Multiple explosions were heard in Iran’s capital Tehran, with blasts also reported in several other parts of the country. Several nations across the region shut their airspace amid the ongoing exchange of attacks.
Explosions were reported in Tehran and other areas, with the first apparent strike said to have occurred near offices linked to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. However, an Iranian official said Khamenei had been moved from Tehran to a secure location.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the strikes and vowed a “crushing” response. The Revolutionary Guard said its forces were “prepared for this day” and warned the US and Israel of “unforeseen weapons,” pledging to teach what it called aggressors “the lesson they deserve.”Tehran launched retaliatory drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and US military installations across the region, including bases in the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan. A series of rocket attacks also struck a US military base in Iraqi Kurdistan, prompting heightened security measures. Authorities said the nature and origin of the attacks remain under investigation, with no immediate confirmation of casualties or damage.
Multiple explosions were heard near Abu Dhabi’s main airport, raising concerns about civilian safety. According to Iranian state media, at least 53 people were killed in strikes on a girls’ school in southern Iran. Meanwhile, shrapnel from an Iranian missile reportedly killed one person in the UAE capital.Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel had launched a “pre-emptive attack” on Iran. Sirens were sounded in Tel Aviv amid warnings of incoming missiles. The Israeli Army said it continued to strike “hundreds of Iranian military targets,” including missile launchers in western Iran, and was intercepting threats fired towards Israel.
The escalation follows a 12-day air conflict between Israel and Iran in June 2025 and repeated warnings from Washington and Tel Aviv that further action would be taken if Iran continued advancing its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.Several Middle Eastern countries shut their airspace amid fears of wider conflict, while governments issued advisories urging citizens to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
India called for restraint and stressed the need to ensure civilian safety amid the rapidly deteriorating security situation. The Embassy of India in the United Arab Emirates issued an urgent advisory asking Indian nationals to avoid unnecessary movement, remain vigilant, and follow safety instructions issued by local authorities.As cross-border strikes continue, regional and global powers are closely monitoring developments, amid concerns that the confrontation could spiral into a broader Middle East conflict.