2026-02-28
9 分钟The Economist.
This is the World in Brief from The Economist.
Our top stories: Israeli officials told several media organizations
that Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, is dead and that his body had been found.
Iranian media, however, suggested he was still alive.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, said strikes on Iran had killed senior regime officials,
Revolutionary Guard commanders, and key members of the nuclear program.
He promised thousands more targets would be hit in the coming days.
President Donald Trump justified the attacks with an expansive case for major combat operations,
laying out a litany of Iranian misdeeds from the country's takeover of America's embassy
in Tehran in 1979 and its support for Hamas.
He called on the Revolutionary Guard, ordinary soldiers, and police
to lay down their arms and receive immunity, or else face certain death.
And told the Iranian people, "When we are finished, take over your government."
He warned Americans that they may have casualties.
Iran fired several missiles at Israel in response, though most seem to have been intercepted by the country's defense systems.
Israel banned public gatherings, shut schools and offices, and declared a state of emergency.
Mr. Netanyahu warned that Israelis would need to show endurance and fortitude.
Meanwhile, Iran struck targets across the Persian Gulf.
Smoke and flames were reported in Dubai's Ritzy Palm Island neighborhood, and a drone attack injured workers at Kuwait's airport.