Top Iranian Commanders Killed as Tensions Escalate

An incoming projectile explodes over the water as Israel issues a nationwide alert following its strikes on Iran, in Haifa Bay, northern Israel, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.

The head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and a senior security adviser to the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were killed in airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel, according to Iranian state media on Sunday.

The official IRNA news agency reported that Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, who took command of the IRGC after his predecessor was killed during the 12-day conflict in June, died in the latest strikes. Also killed was Ali Shamkhani, a veteran figure in Iran’s national security apparatus who had been wounded during the earlier fighting.

Council Formed to Govern After Khamenei’s Death

Following confirmation of Khamenei’s death, Iranian authorities announced the formation of an interim governing council as outlined in the constitution.

The body includes President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and a member of the Guardian Council chosen by the Expediency Council. The arrangement is designed to ensure continuity of leadership until the Assembly of Experts selects a new supreme leader, a process the law says must occur “as soon as possible.”

Fires Reported in Dubai After Aerial Interceptions

Regional tensions also appeared to spill beyond Iran and Israel. Authorities in Dubai said debris from aerial interceptions sparked fires at Jebel Ali Port, one of the world’s busiest transshipment hubs. Emergency crews were deployed to contain the blaze at a port berth.

Officials said debris also struck the Palm Jumeirah area and caused a fire on the facade of the Burj Al Arab hotel. Dubai International Airport sustained damage, and four employees were reported injured.

Revolutionary Guard Threatens Major Retaliation

In a strongly worded statement, the IRGC warned that it would launch what it described as the “most-intense offensive operation” in its history in response to Khamenei’s killing, targeting Israel and US military installations.

The Guard vowed a “severe, decisive and regret-inducing punishment,” saying it would continue to defend the late leader’s legacy and confront what it called internal and external threats.

Mourners raised a black flag over the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, a major Shiite pilgrimage site, in a symbolic gesture of mourning.

Shipping Disruptions in the Gulf

Heightened security concerns have also affected maritime traffic. Global shipping company CMA CGM said it had instructed vessels in or heading to the Persian Gulf to seek shelter due to rising military risks and congestion near the Strait of Hormuz.

The company also announced it was suspending transit through the Suez Canal and rerouting ships around the Cape of Good Hope, citing safety considerations.

The developments signal a sharp escalation in regional tensions, with potential consequences for global trade, energy supplies and broader Middle East stability.