It means the Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian , the judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei , and senior cleric Alireza Arafi will reportedly lead Iran in the transitional period following Khamenei’s death. Israel says at least 40 Iranian “commanders” were killed in the “opening” strikes. Three American service members have been killed in action as part of the Iran operation, according to the US military’s Central Command. US president Donald Trump told Fox News on Sunday that 48 leaders have been killed in US and Israeli strikes on Iran. At least 133 civilians have been killed and 200 civilians injured during US-Israel strikes on Iran on Saturday, according to the US-based organisation HRANA (Human Rights Activists News Agency).

Source: The Guardian March 01, 2026 13:20 UTC