BREAKING NEWS
Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Killed in US-Israeli Airstrikes on Tehran
March 2, 2026 | International Desk
TEHRAN / TEL AVIV — Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who served as head of the 9th and 10th governments of Iran, has been killed during the joint U.S. and Israeli attacks on Tehran, according to the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA). Iranwire
Along with Ahmadinejad, many of his close advisers and bodyguards — believed to be members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — were also killed in the strikes. India TV News
The strike hit Ahmadinejad's residence in the Narmak neighborhood of northeast Tehran, killing him and several bodyguards, according to reports. The strike is believed to have taken place late Saturday, February 28, 2026. The Jerusalem Post
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Effie Defrin announced Sunday that the "opening strike" of the current operation successfully killed 40 senior Iranian commanders within a single minute. Egypt Independent
Ahmadinejad served as Iran's president for eight years, from 2005 to 2013, during which he became the public face of Iran's nuclear program and Tehran's defiance of the West. He frequently threatened Israel's destruction and was widely known for openly antisemitic remarks and Holocaust denial. Ynetnews
In recent years, Ahmadinejad attempted to run again for president, but the Guardian Council disqualified his candidacy three times — in 2017, 2021, and 2024 — amid reported tensions between him and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was also reported killed on Saturday. Ynetnews
However, it is important to note that Iranian state media stated that reports of Ahmadinejad's death "cannot be confirmed," and one of his close associates denied the news, saying "the news of his martyrdom is false." Neither Israel nor Iran have put out an official statement. The Times of Israel
The geopolitical implications of these events are vast. The Middle East stands at a critical crossroads as the international community calls for an immediate ceasefire and diplomatic resolution.