Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there are growing signs “dictator” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian spiritual leader, “is no longer” but he did not explicitly confirm his death.
Netanyahu called on Iranian citizens to “flood the streets and finish the job”.
Minutes later, a senior Israeli official told the Reuters news agency Khamenei, who has ruled Iran since 1989, is dead and his body has been found.
Iranian officials insist he is “safe and sound”. State media cited the head of public relations at Khamenei’s office as saying “the enemy is resorting to mental warfare, all should be aware.”
Meanwhile, a fire has broken out near the entrance of the Fairmont The Palm hotel in Dubai after debris reportedly fell from the sky during an Iranian missile attack.
Dramatic photos and videos shared on social media show flames tearing through the area outside the luxury beachfront hotel, with a thick plume of smoke rising into the night sky.
The cause of the blaze has not been officially confirmed, but Iranian state media had earlier reported that an attack had been launched on Dubai amid escalating tensions in the region.
The UAE hosts a US military presence, and the wider Gulf has been on high alert following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliation.
The Fairmont The Palm, located on the city’s iconic Palm Jumeirah, is marketed by travel firm Tui as a luxury resort offering gourmet dining, an award-winning spa and pools overlooking the Dubai skyline.
It is not yet clear whether there have been any injuries.
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer joined European allies in condemning Iranian attacks on Middle Eastern countries following US-Israeli strikes on Tehran.
US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on Saturday morning in what the two countries described as a “pre-emptive” strike against a Tehran government intent on developing nuclear weapons.
The attack prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles reported to have targeted Israel and countries across the Middle East.
Scroll down for the latest updates.
Trump tells US media he believes Khamenei is dead
21:00 , Anthony FranceDonald Trump tells NBC News “we feel that that is a correct story” referring to reports that Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead.
Israeli TV networks reported that a photo of Khamenei’s body had been shown to the US President and their country’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu after his compound was blitzed.
Asked about who will replace Khamenei, Trump told NBC: “I don’t know, but at some point they’ll be calling me to ask who I’d like... I'm only being a little sarcastic when I say that."
Trump also told ABC he believes Khamenei is dead, adding to correspondent Rachel Scott: “I don’t want to say anything definitively until I see things but we believe he is. And much of their leaders are gone.”
Trump says ‘a lot’ of Iran’s leadership gone
20:43 , Anthony FrancePresident Donald Trump told ABC News that US strikes have “done such damage already” and that “a lot” of Iran’s leadership is gone.
“We don’t know all, but a lot of it is,” Trump says in a phone interview.
The president also says the US has “a very good idea” of who the next batch of Iranian leaders will be.
The United States believes Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and five to 10 top Iranian leaders were killed, a Fox News reporter said on Saturday citing a US official.
Israeli military lists seven senior Iranian figures eliminated including Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to the supreme leader.
BREAKING: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei confirmed dead, @TreyYingst reports. pic.twitter.com/P0ienUGr5L
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 28, 2026
But Iranian news agencies Tasnim and Mehr reported that Khamenei is alive and was “steadfast and firm in commanding the field”.
Israel claims Khamenei is ‘dead and his body has been found’ but Iranians say he’s ‘safe and sound’
19:49 , Anthony FranceA senior Israeli official told the Reuters news agency Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian spiritual leader, is dead and his body has been found.
It came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were many signs suggesting Khamenei may have been killed as a result of Israeli-US strikes.
“This morning we destroyed the compound of the tyrant Khamenei,” Netanyahu claimed in a video statement.
“There are many signs that this tyrant is no longer. This morning we eliminated senior officials in the ayatollahs’ regime, Revolutionary Guards commanders, senior figures in the nuclear program - and we will continue.
“In the next few days, we will hit thousands more targets of the terror regime.”
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are alive “as far as I know”.
Netanyahu: There are signs that Khamenei ‘is no longer’
19:15 , Anthony FranceDuring a brief address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there are growing signs “dictator” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian spiritual leader, “is no longer”.
He did not explicitly confirm his death.
Netanyahu called on Iranian citizens to “flood the streets and finish the job”.
He added Revolutionary Guards commanders and senior nuclear officials were killed.
Watch: Moment strike hits ground near US base in Bahrain
18:54 , Anthony FranceVideo has been released showing the moment of a strike near a US base in Bahrain.
Reuters confirmed the location as Manama and it was filmed by a passenger in a moving car who screams at seeing the explosion.
Badenoch accuses Sir Starmer of using Middle East conflict to ‘sneak out’ resignation of Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons
18:46 , Anthony FranceLabour MP Josh Simons has resigned as a Cabinet Office minister following an investigation into allegations a prominent think tank he ran before entering government paid for a probe into journalists.
Although the investigation by Sir Keir Starmer’s ethics adviser found Mr Simons had not breached the Ministerial Code, the Makerfield MP said he had “become a distraction from this Government’s important work”.
Mr Simons faced calls to resign after his think tank, Labour Together, was accused of paying PR firm Apco Worldwide £36,000 to investigate the background of journalists who had written stories about it.
In previous statements, Mr Simons said Apco had been hired to investigate an illegal hack.
Kemi Badenoch accused the Prime Minister of using the conflict in the Middle East to “sneak out yet another ministerial resignation”.
The Conservative leader said: “Keir Starmer has used the conflict in the Middle East to sneak out yet another ministerial resignation. Another time he’s lacked the backbone to sack a minister who was obviously in the wrong.
I stand with our allies in the US and Israel as they take on the threat of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its vile regime. The same regime that carries out attacks on the UK and on our citizens, that seeks to build nuclear weapons that would threaten our country and that…
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) February 28, 2026
“Josh Simons was in charge of a group that deliberately smeared journalists, even using a journalist’s Jewish faith to call him into question. Labour hasn’t changed.
“The ‘think tank’ Labour Together has donated or provided support to over 100 Labour MPs, including many of the Cabinet. Their former staff members are in positions of influence across Government, including serving as civil servants.
“Simons has resigned so it’s clear Labour Together is utterly finished as an organisation. Keir Starmer must tell us immediately if he will now end Labour Together’s links with his Government and return the tainted money they’ve donated.”
Greek/US naval base in Crete tightens security, sources say
18:40 , Anthony FranceSouda naval base on the island of Crete has tightened security as part of an emergency alert after attacks on Iran, sources said.
The strategic facility for Greece, the United States and the NATO military alliance in the eastern Mediterranean is only allowing security and essential personnel in, said one person with knowledge of the issue, adding that air defence measures had been activated.
Last week, the US aircraft carrier Gerald R Ford stopped at Souda to resupply and refuel before heading to conflict zone.
Keir Starmer thanks UAE president for his efforts to keep British nationals safe
18:35 , Anthony FranceSir Keir Starmer has spoken to the leaders of Qatar and the UAE following Iranian strikes on both countries.
In a call with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Prime Minister expressed his “deep concern” about Iran’s attacks and “reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to the defence of Qatar and its allies”.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “They set out their shared resolve to find a path to de-escalation, working with allies to protect civilians and defend regional stability.”
Speaking to UAE president Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sir Keir expressed “solidarity with the UAE and partners across the region in response to the loss of life, casualties and damage that has taken place”.
The spokesperson added that Sir Keir “thanked the president for his efforts to keep British nationals in the UAE safe”.
No US casualties or injuries reported from Iran strikes
18:28 , Anthony FranceThere have been no reports of American casualties or combat-related injuries during strikes on Iran launched as part of Operation Epic Fury, US Central Command says.
In an update on X, formerly Twitter, it added: “Following the initial wave of US and partner strikes, CENTCOM forces successfully defended against hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks.
“There have been no reports of US casualties or combat-related injuries. Damage to US installations was minimal and has not impacted operations.”
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 28, 2026
CENTCOM said it had begun striking targets at 6.15am GMT “to dismantle the Iranian regime’s security apparatus”, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defence capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields.
201 people killed, 747 injured in US-Israeli attacks, Iranian media reports
17:47 , Anthony FranceAccording to Iranian media, 201 people have been killed as a result of the US-Israeli attacks.
Citing the Red Crescent, strikes were across 24 provinces and 747 have so far been injured.
Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary offer UK solidarity to regional allies
17:42 , Anthony FranceSir Keir Starmer spoke to the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan while Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she had spoken to regional allies “to condemn indiscriminate strikes by the abhorrent Iranian regime and to express UK solidarity”.
Saturday’s attack follows mounting tension in the region, with the US deploying a fleet of warships and aircraft to pressure Tehran.
Watch: Missile flying over Jebel Ali in UAE
17:01 , Anthony FranceFlights across the Middle East were disrupted and air defence fire thudded over Dubai, the United Arab Emirates’ commercial capital.
Shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the UAE capital killed one person, state media said.
Video captures the moment a missile flies over Jebel Ali, a large commercial port and business hub on the southern outskirts of Dubai.
More than 80 killed at primary school, Iranian government sources
16:50 , Anthony FranceIranian state media, citing a local prosecutor, reported 85 deaths after a strike at Minab Girls’ Primary School in southern Iran.
Eyewitness footage released on Saturday and verified by Reuters captured screams from people gathering near the site as damaged vehicles and rubble lay scattered around the building in Hormozgan Province.
Israel’s military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on reports of the strike.
The US & Israel launched an egregious, unwarranted act of aggression against Iran by indiscriminately targeting Iranian cities. In just one single case, they targeted a primary school in #Minab, Hormozgan Province, killing and maiming tens of innocent young girls.
— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) February 28, 2026
This is a… pic.twitter.com/UfcHtBWd4m
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned what he called a “cowardly attack”, adding it had “caused deep pain to the hearts” of his people.
“This brutal act is another dark page in the record of countless crimes by aggressors against this land and will never be erased from the historical memory of our nation,” Pezeshkian added.
Iran tells UN it will keep striking until ‘aggression ceases fully’
16:36 , Anthony FranceIran has said all US and Israeli bases, facilities and assets in the region are “legitimate military targets”.
In a letter to the United Nations, the country adds it would continue to exercise its right of self‑defence “until the aggression ceases fully and unequivocally”.
It came as White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Donald Trump spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone and would continue to monitor the situation throughout the day.
“President Trump monitored the situation overnight at Mar-a-Lago alongside members of his national security team,” she said.
“Prior to the attacks, Secretary (of State Marco) Rubio called all members of the Gang of Eight to provide congressional notification, and he was able to reach and brief seven of the eight members.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his conversation with US President @realDonaldTrump. pic.twitter.com/fd4ZHDSch1
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) February 28, 2026
“The President and his national security team will continue to closely monitor the situation throughout the day.”
The Gang of Eight is an intelligence committee of Senate and House of Representatives leaders from both parties who are traditionally briefed on major national security actions.
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei still alive ‘as far as I know’, foreign minister claims
16:19 , Anthony FranceIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi tells NBC News that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are alive “as far as I know”.
But an Israeli military official says “several senior figures” from the Iran regime have been “eliminated” following today's strikes.
The official says three sites where members of the Iranian government were gathered were hit at the same time during the operation.
They add that the Israel Defence Forces has been in “close co-operation” with the US Army to build a “valuable and extensive” list of targets, adding: “The IDF is prepared to strike in Iran as required.”
Araghchi criticised the joint US and Israel attack despite ongoing nuclear negotiations.
"Almost all officials are safe and sound and alive".
— Sky News (@SkyNews) February 28, 2026
Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, speaks to Sky News' sister news organisation NBC after the US launched Operation Epic Fury, with Israeli strikes targeting Iranian leaders.
🔗 https://t.co/sFJUydVdXn pic.twitter.com/Z7DImaNVco
He said two commanders had died, but senior officials in the regime survived, including the head of the judiciary and the parliament speaker.
“All high-ranking officials are alive,” he said.
“So everybody is now in its position, and we are handling this situation, and everything is fine.”
His claims have not been independently verified.
Drone targets Kuwait International Airport
16:11 , Anthony FranceA drone targeted Kuwait International Airport, causing minor injuries and limited material damage one terminal, said the country’s official news agency Kuna.
Abdullah Al-Rajhi, spokesman for Kuwait’s Public Authority for Civil Aviation, added authorities immediately implemented emergency procedures, dealing with the incident and securing the site.
He emphasised that the situation was under control and that the safety of passengers and employees was a top priority.
He didn’t attribute the source of the attack, but Iran has been striking targets across the region in response to joint strikes by the US and Israel.
Kuna added Kuwait’s national news agency says the Gulf country’s air defences successfully repelled what it called a “heinous Iranian attack”.
A drone has targeted Kuwait International Airport causing injuries to some workers and some material damage, according to the country’s Civil Aviation Authority.#Kuwait #Iran #Israel #US pic.twitter.com/7TR4eJZadZ
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) February 28, 2026
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation added in a post on X that the attack also caused damage to the airport’s Terminal 1.
"The authority confirmed that the situation is under complete control by the relevant authorities in the country, and that the safety of travelers and workers is a top priority," it added.
Fire breaks out at luxury Dubai hotel during missile attack
15:55 , Anthony FranceA fire has broken out near the entrance of Fairmont The Palm hotel.
Debris reportedly fell from the sky during an Iranian missile attack.
Photos on social media and videos show a large blaze and a plume of smoke rising from outside the building.
There is a US military presence in the country.
According to the Tui website, it is a luxury hotel with gourmet dining options, an award-winning spa, and pools with city views.
Iranian state media had been reporting that an attack has been launched on Dubai.
Visuals of fire and smoke from the Fairmont Hotel on Dubai's Palm Street#USIran #IsraelIranWar #IsraelIranConflict #USIsraelIran pic.twitter.com/fcCunIVg94
— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18News) February 28, 2026
The Unite Arab Emirates ministry of defence has said it has intercepted a new wave of missiles and drones, according to Reuters.
Flights across the Middle East were disrupted and air defence fire thudded over Dubai, the commercial capital of the UAE. Shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the capital of the UAE killed one person, state media said.
Sir Keir Starmer: Iranian regime backed over 20 potentially lethal attacks on UK soil
15:43 , Anthony FranceSir Keir Starmer said in a statement at Downing Street: “Earlier this morning, the United States and Israel struck targets in Iran. Iran has since launched indiscriminate strikes across the region.
“I know the British people and communities across our country will be deeply concerned about what this means for security and stability, and for the fate of innocent people across the region which, for so many of us, includes friends and family members. So whilst the situation is evolving very quickly, I want to set out our response.
“The United Kingdom played no role in these strikes, but we have long been clear: the regime in Iran is utterly abhorrent. They have murdered thousands of their own people, brutally crushed dissent and sought to destabilise the region.
Footage shows a missile falling from the air and hitting a residential area in Doha, Qatar. It's likely the missile was intercepted above the city. Iran says it has launched strikes on U.S. military bases across the Middle East after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran. pic.twitter.com/BtOaaPbNUZ
— Sky News (@SkyNews) February 28, 2026
“Even in the United Kingdom, the Iranian regime poses a direct threat to dissidents and to the Jewish community.
“Over the last year alone, they have backed more than 20 potentially lethal attacks on UK soil.
“So it is clear they must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. That remains the primary aim of the United Kingdom and our allies, including the US.”
Sir Keir Starmer condemns Iran’s retaliation ‘in the strongest terms’
15:38 , Anthony FranceSir Keir Starmer has joined European allies in condemning Iranian attacks on Middle Eastern countries following US-Israeli strikes on Tehran.
US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on Saturday morning in what the two countries described as a “pre-emptive” strike against a Tehran government intent on developing nuclear weapons.
The attack prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles reported to have targeted Israel and countries across the Middle East.
Britain was not involved in the strikes on Iran, and the Government has advised UK nationals in some parts of the Middle East to “shelter in place”.
My statement on Iran. pic.twitter.com/Ki4VVTYO4N
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) February 28, 2026
Making a statement to the press on Saturday afternoon, Sir Keir said British aircraft in the region were “in the sky” as part of “co-ordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies”.
In a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany, Sir Keir condemned Iran’s retaliation “in the strongest terms”.
