Trending Now - Israel's Actions in Iran May Impact U.S. Diplomatic Efforts

WHO:

President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Iranian intelligence minister Esmail Khatib, Iranian security official Ali Larijani, Iranian militia leader Gholamreza Soleimani, and Iranian supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

Kobi Michael, defense analyst at the Institute for National Security Studies and the Misgav Institute.

Bader Al-Saif, intellectual historian.

Sina Azodi, director of the Middle East Studies program at George Washington University.

WHAT:

Israel killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28th, 2026.

Israel also killed intelligence minister Esmail Khatib and security official Ali Larijani in strikes on March 11th, 2026.

President Trump stated that nearly 90 percent of Iran's regime missiles have been obliterated.

Mojtaba Khamenei, the new supreme leader, has not made a public appearance since his appointment.

Trump claimed that the attack on Iranian leaders was so successful that it eliminated most candidates for political transition.

WHERE:

The strikes occurred in Tehran, Iran.

The funeral for senior Iranian military officials and civilians took place in Tehran on March 11th, 2026.

WHEN:

Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28th, 2026.

The strikes that killed Esmail Khatib and Ali Larijani occurred on March 11th, 2026.

President Trump made statements regarding the Iranian regime on March 18th, 2026.

WHY:

Israel's actions are framed as self-defense against what it regards as a terrorist state led by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Netanyahu stated that the attacks aim to incite a counter-revolution and give the Iranian people an opportunity to remove their regime.

HOW:

Israel utilized precision weapons and intelligence to carry out targeted strikes against Iranian leaders.

The U.S. and Israel's strategy involves weakening the Iranian regime's military capabilities and domestic control.

(UPDATED March 19, 2026 05:28 UTC)

In a significant escalation, Israel has killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28, followed by the deaths of intelligence minister Esmail Khatib and security official Ali Larijani in targeted strikes on March 11, all carried out in Tehran. President Trump announced on March 18 that nearly 90 percent of Iran's missile capabilities have been destroyed and claimed the attacks have effectively eliminated most candidates for political transition within the regime. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu framed these actions as necessary self-defense against a terrorist state, aiming to inspire a counter-revolution among the Iranian people.