In a dramatic escalation of the Middle East conflict, Iran reportedly launched retaliatory strikes following the February 28, 2026, U.S.-Israeli airstrike that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had ruled the country since 1989. Iranian state media confirmed his death hours after precision-guided missiles flattened his Tehran compound, part of a broader campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure. U.S. President Donald Trump called Khamenei “one of the most evil people in history,” claiming the strike opened the door for Iranians to reclaim their country. In apparent retaliation, Dubai International Airport in the UAE was reportedly bombed, causing panic among travelers and temporary airspace restrictions. Iranian Shahed drones were also sighted over Dubai, including near the Burj Khalifa area, raising fears of landmark targeting. UAE air defenses intercepted multiple projectiles, though one person was reportedly killed by falling shrapnel—the first known casualty of Iran’s counterstrikes. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned Khamenei’s killing as a “great crime,” vowed retaliation, and declared nationwide mourning, as the region braces for further escalation.
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