As a result of these attacks, Israel also reported the deaths of several significant figures from the Iranian military command.
According to Reuters, during Israeli military activity over the past two years, some high-profile Iranian military leaders have already been eliminated, leading to a significant weakening of several of Tehran's proxy groups in the Middle East.
On Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that the temporary functions of the Supreme Leader have been assumed by a governing council consisting of himself, the head of the judiciary, and a representative of the Guardian Council of the Constitution.
The head of security, Ali Larijani, accused the U.S. and Israel of intending to destabilize and plunder Iran, warning separatist groups of a harsh response to any provocations. This statement came after a series of airstrikes on Iran, including strikes on a girls' school. Reuters was unable to confirm the information provided by state media.
Power Structure in Iran
After Khamenei's death on Saturday, many high-profile American officials expressed doubts that the military operation by the U.S. and Israel would lead to a change of government in Iran in the near future.
Discussions in American intelligence circles have revolved not only around the possible consequences of Khamenei's assassination but also its impact on future negotiations with Iran regarding its nuclear program.
Two anonymous American officials told Reuters that since January of this year, active debates have been taking place across various agencies, but no consensus has been reached on how much Khamenei's assassination might change Iran's approach to negotiations.
According to sources, American officials have also discussed how Khamenei's death or overthrow might affect the revival of Iran's nuclear and missile program.
Map of Attacks by American and Israeli Forces on Iran and Tehran's Response (March 1, 2026, 16:27 GMT+6)
On Saturday, the United States and Israel launched the largest military operations against Iran in decades, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
This posed a significant foreign policy risk for the Donald Trump administration, which during his campaign positioned himself as the "president of peace" and favored a diplomatic resolution to the conflict with Iran.
During Saturday's operation, the U.S. utilized a wide range of weaponry, including Tomahawk cruise missiles, stealth fighters, and for the first time in combat conditions, low-cost strike drones modeled after Iranian technology.
Iran characterized these strikes as unprovoked and illegal, responding with missile strikes against Israel and at least seven other countries where American military bases are located, including Persian Gulf states.
