Photos: Middle East tensions escalate after US-Israel strikes on Iran | CNN

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A fire burns after a retaliatory strike in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Saturday, February 28.
A fire burns after a retaliatory strike in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Saturday, February 28.
Erik Marmor/Getty Images

In pictures: Middle East tensions escalate after US-Israel strikes on Iran

Updated 4:55 PM EST, Sat February 28, 2026
Link Copied!

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in massive US and Israeli strikes on Saturday, according to Israeli sources.

US President Donald Trump has indicated the ongoing military operation is aimed overturning Tehran’s government. Khamenei led Iran with iron fist for decades.

In response, Iran launched an unprecedented wave of strikes on US military bases, Israel and targets in other countries across the Middle East.

Protesters shout slogans as they carry portraits of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and wave Iranian flags near the US embassy in Baghdad on Saturday.
Protesters shout slogans as they carry portraits of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and wave Iranian flags near the US embassy in Baghdad on Saturday.
Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images
An intercepted missile is seen from Doha, Qatar, on Saturday.
An intercepted missile is seen from Doha, Qatar, on Saturday.
Saleh Salem/Reuters
Emergency workers inspect damage to the Fairmont The Palm hotel in Dubai on Saturday.
Emergency workers inspect damage to the Fairmont The Palm hotel in Dubai on Saturday.
Altaf Qadri/AP
Emergency workers assist civilians after a strike in Tel Aviv on Saturday.
Emergency workers assist civilians after a strike in Tel Aviv on Saturday.
Erik Marmor/Getty Images
A fireball lights up the night sky following a strike on Tel Aviv on Satturday.
A fireball lights up the night sky following a strike on Tel Aviv on Satturday.
John Wessels/AFP/Getty Images
Heavy traffic clogs the streets of Tehran on Saturday.
Heavy traffic clogs the streets of Tehran on Saturday.
Majid Asgaripour/Wana News Agency/Reuters
An air defense system operates in Jerusalem as missiles are launched toward Israel from Iran on Saturday.
An air defense system operates in Jerusalem as missiles are launched toward Israel from Iran on Saturday.
Ronen Zvulun/Reuters
Children climb on the wreckage of a missile that was reportedly intercepted by Israeli forces on Saturday in the southern countryside of Quneitra, Syria, near the Golan Heights.
Children climb on the wreckage of a missile that was reportedly intercepted by Israeli forces on Saturday in the southern countryside of Quneitra, Syria, near the Golan Heights.
Bakr Alkasem/AFP/Getty Images
In this photo <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fworld%2Flive-news%2Fisrael-iran-attack-02-28-26-hnk-intl%3Fpost-id%3Dcmm6rrywe00003b6qukzdhkje">released by The White House</a>, President Donald Trump, chief of staff Susie Wiles and Secretary of State Marco Rubio monitor US military operations in Iran on Saturday from the president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Portions of the photo have been blurred by the source.
In this photo released by The White House, President Donald Trump, chief of staff Susie Wiles and Secretary of State Marco Rubio monitor US military operations in Iran on Saturday from the president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Portions of the photo have been blurred by the source.
The White House
This image from video provided by US Central Command shows a missile being launched from a US Navy ship on Saturday.
This image from video provided by US Central Command shows a missile being launched from a US Navy ship on Saturday.
US Central Command/AP
Staff members transfer patients to an underground shelter at the Ichilov hospital in Tel Aviv following an air raid warning on Saturday.
Staff members transfer patients to an underground shelter at the Ichilov hospital in Tel Aviv following an air raid warning on Saturday.
Amit Elkayam/The New York Times/Redux
People wave Iranian flags during a rally in Tehran on Saturday.
People wave Iranian flags during a rally in Tehran on Saturday.
Arash Khamooshi/The New York Times/Redux
A woman looks out from her rooftop garden in Tehran after large explosions shook the city on Saturday.
A woman looks out from her rooftop garden in Tehran after large explosions shook the city on Saturday.
Arash Khamooshi/The New York Times/Redux
An explosion in the sea is seen from Haifa, Israel, on Saturday.
An explosion in the sea is seen from Haifa, Israel, on Saturday.
Rami Shlush/Reuters
People sort through rubble in Tehran on Saturday.
People sort through rubble in Tehran on Saturday.
Amir Kholousi/ISNA/Wana News Agency/Reuters
People take shelter in Ashkelon, Israel, after missiles were launched from Iran on Saturday.
People take shelter in Ashkelon, Israel, after missiles were launched from Iran on Saturday.
Amir Cohen/Reuters
People watch as smoke rises over the Tehran skyline after an explosion on Saturday, February 28.
People watch as smoke rises over the Tehran skyline after an explosion on Saturday, February 28.
AP
Smoke billows above the compound of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran on Saturday. Israeli sources say Khamenei was killed in the strikes.
Smoke billows above the compound of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran on Saturday. Israeli sources say Khamenei was killed in the strikes.
Airbus
People play racketball outside an underground parking garage used as a shelter in Tel Aviv on Saturday.
People play racketball outside an underground parking garage used as a shelter in Tel Aviv on Saturday.
John Wessels/AFP/Getty Images
Rescue workers and residents search through the rubble of a girls' elementary school in Minab, Iran, on Saturday.
Rescue workers and residents search through the rubble of a girls' elementary school in Minab, Iran, on Saturday.
Abbas Zakeri/Mehr News Agency/AP
A missile is intercepetd over the Israeli coastal city of Netanya on Saturday.
A missile is intercepetd over the Israeli coastal city of Netanya on Saturday.
Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images
A person takes shelter as sirens sound in Jerusalem on Saturday.
A person takes shelter as sirens sound in Jerusalem on Saturday.
Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty Images
People take shelter under a highway bridge near Latrun, Israel, on Saturday.
People take shelter under a highway bridge near Latrun, Israel, on Saturday.
Amir Cohen/Reuters
Birds fly overhead after an airstrike in Tehran on Saturday.
Birds fly overhead after an airstrike in Tehran on Saturday.
Majid Asgaripour/WANA/Reuters
The remains of a car are seen in Tehran on Saturday.
The remains of a car are seen in Tehran on Saturday.
Amir Kholousi/ISNA/Wana News Agency/Reuters
Smoke rises from a burning building hit by an Iranian drone strike in Manama, Bahrain, on Saturday.
Smoke rises from a burning building hit by an Iranian drone strike in Manama, Bahrain, on Saturday.
Hamad I. Mohammed/Reuters

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