By: Isaac Kwabena Boadu Date: 2nd March, 2026
AFRICAN VOICES INTERNATIONAL reports that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, was killed in a joint US-Israeli attack on Saturday 28th February 2026, sparking widespread reactions and raising questions about the future of Iran and the Middle East.
Ayatollah Khamenei, who led Iran for 36 years, took over from Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, in 1989. His regime was marked by a fierce rivalry with the US and Israel, and he played a significant role in shaping Iran’s confrontational stance towards the West.
Ayatollah Khamenei’s killing comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, with the Supreme Leader having previously praised the October 7 attack on Israel as “logical” and the “correct move”.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s regime was characterized by strained relations with the US and Israel, with the Ayatollah often condemning US policies and Israeli actions in the region.
While some, like Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, have celebrated Khamenei’s death as a “turning point”, others, including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, have vowed revenge and condemned the killing as a “declaration of war against Muslims”.
AFRICAN VOICES INTERNATIONAL condemns the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and calls for an end to violence and interference in the region. We believe in the freedom of expression and the right to self-determination, and urge all parties to respect international law and work towards a peaceful resolution.
AFRICAN VOICES INTERNATIONAL, FREEDOM IN AFRICA
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