A. Hassan Rouhani
B. Ebrahim Raisi
C. Syed Ali Khamenei
D. Javad Zarif
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Syed Ali Khamenei, was reportedly killed during the initial wave of US-Israel strikes in 2026. His death created a major leadership crisis inside Iran.
This event significantly escalated the conflict, as it targeted the highest authority in the Iranian political system. It also increased the chances of prolonged instability.