US-Israel Strike Kills Ali Khamenei

Less than 48 hours before a US-Israeli strike on Iran, Benjamin Netanyahu persuaded Donald Trump to approve a 'decapitation strike' against Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. New intelligence indicated Ali Khamenei and his lieutenants would meet, presenting a unique opportunity. Netanyahu argued for the strike to eliminate Iranian leadership and avenge alleged Iranian assassination plots against Donald Trump. Donald Trump, who had previously approved a military operation against Iran but not its timing, gave the final order for 'Operation Epic Fury' on February 27. The first bombs struck on February 28, and Donald Trump announced Ali Khamenei's death that evening. This operation followed a June attack where Israel and the United States bombed Iran's nuclear and missile facilities. The decision to strike again was influenced by the successful US operation to capture Nicolás Maduro and massive anti-government protests in Iran. The United States — Central Intelligence Agency had assessed that Ali Khamenei's death would likely lead to an internal hardliner successor, a prediction that proved accurate with Mojtaba Khamenei, Ali Khamenei's son, being named the new supreme leader by the Iran — Assembly of Experts. The strikes led to Iranian counterattacks, over 2,300 Iranian civilian deaths, 13 US service members' deaths, attacks on US Gulf allies, closure of vital shipping routes, and a historic spike in Petroleum prices.