Widespread reports on social media on Sunday made claims about the assassination of Iran’s top leadership amidst increased military strikes in Tehran. These posts suggested that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed during U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on February 28, and his appointed interim leader, senior cleric Alireza Arafi, was killed within hours in further strikes. Additionally, the newly appointed acting defence minister, Seyed Majid Ben Reza, was also alleged to have died shortly after taking office. However, no independent verification or official confirmation has been released by Iranian authorities, international news agencies, Iran’s state media, the Israeli government, the U.S. Department of Defense or any international monitoring organizations. Experts have warned of a wave of misinformation and false narratives of leadership changes, especially on social media platforms. It’s advised to treat such sensational claims with caution, particularly as the situation in the Middle East remains unstable.
Follow us on Instagram: @news.tringlobe
