Key Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with other top officials, was killed in US and Israeli strikes. President Masoud Pezeshkian called it a “declaration of war against Muslims”. Other senior figures killed include Ali Shamkhani, Abdolrahim Mousavi, and Aziz Nasirzadeh. Shamkhani was a key adviser to Khamenei and oversaw nuclear negotiations. Mousavi was chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces and was sanctioned for human rights abuses. Nasirzadeh served as Iran’s defense minister and warned of targeting US bases in the region in case of conflict.
Want More Context? 🔎
Loading PerspectiveSplit analysis...