From Surviving A Saturday Blast In 1981 To Dying On One In 2026: Khamenei's Twist Of Fate

Last Updated:March 01, 2026, 13:59 IST

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, was killed in US–Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, was killed on Saturday, February 28, 2026, after the United States and Israel launched massive strikes under the operation, codenamed Epic Fury by Washington and Lion’s Roar by Jerusalem.

US President Donald Trump announced his death in a Truth Social post at 3:07 am (IST), writing, “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in history, is dead." Iranian state media later confirmed his death.

Khamenei, 86, had led Iran since 1989 and was a central figure of the Islamic Republic’s hardline establishment. He rose to prominence during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. In 1981, he became Iran’s president, serving two consecutive terms until 1989. After the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in June that year, Iran’s Assembly of Experts appointed Khamenei as Supreme Leader.

As the country’s highest authority, he presided over decades of political upheaval, suppressing major waves of dissent — including the 1999 student protests, the disputed 2009 election demonstrations, the 2019 unrest, and the “Woman, Life, Freedom" movement triggered by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini.

Meanwhile, a twist of fate has drawn attention as Khamenei, who survived a dramatic assassination attempt on a Saturday in 1981, was killed on another Saturday 45 years later in joint US-Israeli strikes.

The 1981 Assassination Attempt

On June 27, 1981 – a Saturday – Khamenei narrowly escaped death in a bombing at a mosque in Tehran.

After leading prayers and addressing followers, a tape recorder placed before him exploded. Inside the device was reportedly a message claiming responsibility from the Furqan Group, a militant organisation opposed to the ruling clerical order.

Khamenei suffered severe injuries to his right arm, vocal cords and lungs. Though he recovered after months of treatment, his right arm remained permanently paralysed.

A Full Circle On A Saturday

Forty-five years after surviving that Saturday attack, Khamenei was killed on another Saturday in 2026 during a major military operation targeting Iranian leadership and infrastructure.

His death marks the end of a 37-year tenure as Supreme Leader and raises profound questions about the future of Iran’s theocratic system.

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