While the situation is evolving rapidly on February 28, 2026, several high-ranking Iranian military and political figures are reported to have been killed or targeted in the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes.
Confirmed or Highly Likely Fatalities
Multiple sources, including Reuters and USA TODAY, report the deaths of two of Iran's top military leaders:
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Amir Nasirzadeh: Iran's Defense Minister.
- : Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Ground Forces.
- : Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and a senior advisor to the Supreme Leader, was also reported killed by Iran International.
Status of the Supreme Leader and President
The fate of Iran’s top political leadership remains a subject of conflicting reports:
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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: His residence and administrative compound in Tehran were targeted and heavily damaged, according to satellite imagery. Israeli officials believe he may have been hurt or killed, citing a lack of contact with him. However, Iran's Foreign Minister claimed to NBC News that the Supreme Leader is "alive and well."
- : Iran's President was also a target of the strikes. While initial reports from Israeli sources suggested he was targeted, Iranian state media asserts he is unharmed.
Broader Leadership Impact
- IRGC Commanders: An "Iranian source close to the establishment" told Reuters that "several senior commanders" of the Revolutionary Guards and political officials were eliminated in the first wave of strikes.
- Nuclear Scientists: Some reports indicate that prominent nuclear scientists were among those killed, though specific names are still being verified in the "fog of war."
President Trump stated that the strikes were specifically aimed at eliminating imminent threats from the regime's leadership
