Satellite imagery has confirmed severe structural damage to the Tehran compound of Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following US and Israeli strikes on Saturday, 28 February 2026. The images, provided by Airbus, show several buildings within the secured complex have collapsed, with visible smoke and debris. The strikes were part of a large-scale campaign targeting the Iranian capital and other cities.
The United States, Israel, and Iran have all confirmed that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed during the attacks. It remains unclear whether the 85-year-old cleric was present at his residence during the strike or if the fatal blow occurred elsewhere. Representatives for the Pentagon and the Israel Defense Forces declined to comment on the specific targeting of the compound when contacted by Business Insider.
House of Leadership Obliterated
Analysis of the satellite photos identifies one of the most heavily damaged structures as the House of Leadership, known to serve as Khamenei's office and principal residence. The building, located at the bottom left of the imagery, shows a collapsed roof with smoke emanating from it. A wider view suggests the strike was largely confined to the Supreme Leader's compound, with neighbouring buildings appearing intact.
A comparison with satellite imagery from a year earlier reveals that at least six buildings within the complex have now been damaged. The large Imam Khomeini Hussainia, a place of worship used for religious and political ceremonies, is also visible in the images with what appears to be debris on its roof, though it is unclear if it was directly hit.
Regional Escalation and Political Fallout
The aerial assaults on Saturday morning local time marked one of the largest strike campaigns in the region in recent years. In a video address following the commencement of attacks, US President Donald Trump addressed the Iranian people, stating, "take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be, probably, your only chance for generations."
In response, Iran has launched dozens of ballistic missiles and drones at neighbouring countries, stating it is targeting US military bases. The full strategic objectives behind the US and Israeli operations, as well as the complete outcomes, are still being assessed.
A Power Vacuum After Four Decades
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been Iran's ultimate political and religious authority for almost 40 years, wielding decisive power over the nation's government and military as the Supreme Leader of Shia Islam. His death creates a significant power vacuum within the Islamic Republic's unique political structure.
Analysts are now scrutinising how his demise will impact Iran's military posture, its societal stability, and the future configuration of its government. The process of selecting a new Supreme Leader, a role chosen by the Assembly of Experts, is expected to be a critical and potentially destabilising event for the region.