Part 3/12:
Central to this offensive was the elimination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had wielded power since 1989. His compound was hit with precision Israeli air strikes, resulting in his death and the demise of his closest aides. The operation also wiped out over 40 senior Iranian officials—including the Revolutionary Guard commander, Iran’s Defense Minister, and key security figures—causing a profound leadership crisis. The death toll extended to Khamenei’s immediate successors, including his son, Mosh Taba, and his successor who held power for only hours before being eradicated.