TEHRAN, February 28 — Iran defence minister Amir Hatami and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour were killed in US-Israel strikes on Saturday, Reuters reported three sources familiar with the matter said. While the claim has not been independently verified or officially confirmed by Iranian authorities or Israeli forces, multiple regional media outlets are reporting the death of the Commander-in-Chief of Iran’s Army as a pivotal moment in the widening confrontation .
The reported assassination comes amid a massive exchange of fire that has set the region ablaze. The Israeli military confirmed that approximately 50 to 70 ballistic missiles were launched from Iran towards Israel, triggering warning sirens across Tel Aviv and other regions, forcing residents to remain near bomb shelters . Concurrently, witnesses in Tehran reported powerful blasts and dense smoke rising near government and military buildings, signaling that the heart of the Iranian capital was firmly in the crosshairs .
Leadership Decapitated? The Death of Amir Hatami
The most significant—and still unconfirmed—report centers on Major General Amir Hatami. Born in Tehran in 1966, Hatami was a veteran of the Iran-Iraq War, having joined the Ground Forces in 1984. He was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of Iran’s Army just last year in June 2025 by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, following a period of high-profile assassinations within the Iranian military leadership .
If confirmed, his death would represent the most significant decapitation strike against the Iranian military command in decades, far surpassing the impact of previous targeted killings. According to reports cited by WION and Pravda, his death occurred in the early joint airstrikes, though a fog of war remains as officials remain silent on the specific casualty .
‘Major Combat Operations’: Trump Announces Expansive Campaign
Shortly after the initial reports of Israeli missile strikes, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States had begun “major combat operations” in Iran. In a video message, Trump stated, “Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” specifically noting that the plan focuses on dismantling Iran’s missile and naval systems .
The scope of the attack appears broader than previous engagements. Unlike last June’s strikes which primarily focused on nuclear facilities, this operation—referred to by the US as “Operation Epic Fury” and by Israel as “Operation Lion’s Roar”—is reportedly targeting leadership, military infrastructure, and missile launch capabilities . Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz described the initial offensive as a “pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel” .
Analysts suggest that the stalled nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran were the direct driver of the military escalation. “The negotiations were completely a smokescreen,” Tang Zhichao, a director at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told CGTN. “This was a carefully planned result. It shows that the United States and Israel have completely lost hope in negotiations, and leadership change in Iran is the goal” .
Widespread Explosions and Internet Blackout
The military action was not limited to Tehran. Explosions were reported in several major Iranian cities, including Kermanshah, Lorestan, Tabriz, Isfahan, and Karaj, with many strikes occurring close to official or military facilities . Satellite imagery obtained by CNN appeared to show black smoke billowing from the compound of Iran’s Supreme Leader in Tehran, though it is unknown if Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was present at the time .
In a sign of the regime’s attempt to control the narrative, internet connectivity across Iran dropped sharply. Monitoring group NetBlocks reported that connectivity, especially around Tehran, fell to about 54% of usual levels, indicating heavy disruption to online services and communication, effectively blacking out the ability of citizens to share information freely .
Iran Retaliates: Missiles Rain on Israel and Gulf States
Iran was quick to respond, demonstrating the regional scope of its reach. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it had launched the first wave of large-scale missile and drone attacks, stating they were targeting not only Israel but also US military bases in Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates .
- In the UAE: Five loud explosions were heard in Dubai, with smoke rising near the Jabal Ali port, a major global shipping hub. All flights at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC) were suspended indefinitely .
- In Bahrain: The headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Manama was reportedly targeted, with smoke seen rising from the Juffair district .
- In Israel: Sirens wailed throughout the night as air defense systems engaged incoming threats. A nine-story building in northern Israel was reportedly destroyed by a missile strike .
A senior Iranian official signaled a massive shift in Tehran’s doctrine, telling Al Jazeera that after these strikes, Iran no longer recognizes any “red lines,” and that all American and Israeli assets in the Middle East are now considered legitimate targets .
Global Reaction and Risk of Wider War
The international community reacted with alarm. While Canada expressed support for the US action, key European allies like France and Spain condemned the escalation. French President Emmanuel Macron warned that “the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security” . Democratic Senator Tim Kaine denounced the strikes as “dangerous, unnecessary, and idiotic,” calling for the Senate to vote on a War Powers Resolution .
With two US carrier strike groups in the region and expectations that the attacks could continue for several days, the risk of a full-scale regional war—one that could disrupt global oil supplies and draw in further powers—has now become a stark reality .
