Tehran, Iran – March 2, 2026 – Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, the wife of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, died on Monday from wounds sustained during a major joint US-Israeli military operation that killed her husband and several family members on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Iranian state-affiliated media, including the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, reported that the 79-year-old had been in a coma since the initial strikes and succumbed to her injuries early Monday.
Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, born in 1947 into a respected merchant family, married Khamenei in 1964. The couple had six children, and she maintained a low public profile throughout her husband's 37-year tenure as Supreme Leader, from 1989 until his death. Her passing adds another layer of tragedy to the Khamenei family, which has been decimated by the ongoing conflict. Iranian state media previously confirmed on Sunday that Khamenei, along with his daughter, grandson, son-in-law, and one daughter-in-law, were killed in the attacks on a secure compound in Tehran.
The strikes, part of a large-scale campaign dubbed Operation Epic Fury by US officials, targeted Iranian leadership, nuclear-related sites, ballistic missile facilities, air defenses, naval assets, and command structures. US President Donald Trump announced Khamenei's death shortly after the operation began, describing it as a decisive blow against Iran's nuclear ambitions and proxy networks. Israeli officials confirmed the operation's focus on high-value targets, including Khamenei's office and residence.
Iran responded with waves of ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israel, US military bases in the region, and assets in Gulf Arab states such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. Retaliatory actions have continued into Monday, escalating the multi-front conflict amid reports of civilian casualties and infrastructure damage on all sides.
The US and Israel have accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons and advanced missile programs that threaten regional stability and their allies. Tehran maintains that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes and denies any intent to develop atomic weapons. The campaign follows stalled negotiations in 2025–2026 and heightened tensions over Iran's support for militant groups like Hezbollah, which launched attacks on Israel in direct response to Khamenei's killing.
Iran declared 40 days of national mourning after Khamenei's death and announced the formation of an interim council to manage leadership transition. No clear successor had been publicly designated prior to the strikes, raising questions about governance and command structures amid the crisis. A senior Shiite cleric issued calls for jihad against the US and Israel, while Iranian officials vowed continued resistance without capitulation.
The death of Khojasteh Bagherzadeh has drawn limited but poignant coverage in Iranian media, often framing her as a "martyr" alongside her husband. International reactions remain polarized, with some nations condemning the strikes as escalatory and others supporting the effort to curb Iran's regional influence.
As the conflict enters its fourth day, military exchanges persist, with risks of broader involvement growing. Oil prices have fluctuated amid concerns over supply disruptions, and diplomatic channels have seen urgent appeals for de-escalation. The US has indicated the operation could extend for weeks, while Iranian proxies and allies signal readiness for prolonged engagement.
The loss of the Supreme Leader's wife compounds the personal and symbolic impact of the attacks on Iran's ruling establishment. With the Khamenei family heavily affected and the regime facing unprecedented pressure, the situation underscores the high stakes in the ongoing Middle East crisis.
