The 86-year-old has ruled Iran since 1989

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Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed in US-Israeli strikes on Iran, Israeli officials have said. The assassination of the 86-year-old leader of the Islamic Republic, who had no designated successor, would throw its future into doubt and raise the prospect of a protracted conflict given Iranian threats of retaliation.

In a nationally televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier this evening there were ‘growing signs’ that Mr Khamenei had been killed when Israel struck his compound early on Saturday. Shortly after the address, two officials told the Associated Press that Israel had confirmed his death.

Mr Khamenei succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, in 1989. He had the final say on all major policies, leading Iran’s clerical establishment and its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard – the two main centres of power in the country’s theocracy.

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Asked about reports that Mr Khamenei was killed in air strikes on Saturday, US President Donald Trump said: “We feel that that is a correct story.” In a brief phone interview with NBC News, he said “a large amount of leadership” of Iran had been killed, adding: “I don’t mean like two people.”

He also said “most” of Iran’s senior leadership is “gone”, including many people who make decisions. Asked who might become Iran’s new supreme leader, Mr Trump said “I don’t know but at some point they’ll be calling me to ask who I’d like” before noting he was being “only being a little sarcastic” in suggesting that.

The Israeli military said the strikes also killed Mohammad Pakpour, the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, and defence minister Aziz Nasirzadeh. Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of the Iranian Security Council and a close adviser to Mr Khamenei, and Mohammad Shirazi, the head of Mr Khamenei’s military bureau, were also said to have been killed.

Iranian state media, citing the Red Crescent, said at least 201 people had been killed. The first strikes appeared to target the Supreme Leader’s compound in central Tehran.

But there are conflicting reports coming out of Iran about Mr Khamenei’s death. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Mr Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are alive “as far as I know”. Al Jazeera has also reported that Iran’s semi-official news agencies Tasnim and Mehr are reporting that the supreme leader is ‘steadfast and firm in commanding the field’.

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The jeans were posted in a video showcasing the new range on the Tesco F&F Instagram page. The video was captioned: “Denim season is here and @debbielegrainger has all the styles you need. Shop 25% off all denim in store and online now.”

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Pep Guardiola insists religions and diversity should be respected after some Leeds United supporters booed the Ramadan break in their Premier League match against Manchester City on Saturday night.

Referee Peter Bankes called halted play in the 12th minute at Elland Road to allow Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush to break their fast at the time of sunset.

The three players were given around a minute to take on food and water on the touchline, but the break was met by boos and offensive chanting from a section of the Leeds supporters.

A message reminding supporters that the players were breaking fast was shown on screens at Elland Road.

Speaking about the reaction from a section of Leeds fans, Guardiola said: ‘It’s the modern world, right? Look what’s happening in the world right now today again, right?

‘Respect the religions, respect the diversity, that is the point.

‘It’s a rule, we didn’t say it, the Premier League said it’s okay for the fasting you can have one or two minutes, so the players do it. It is what it is, unfortunately.’

Asked about the booing, Leeds assistant manager Edmund Riemer said: ‘I’m focused on the game so I don’t really hear it but disappointed with some supporters that that happened.’

A statement from Kick It Out on the incident read: ‘It’s massively disappointing that some Leeds United fans booed when Manchester City’s players broke their fast during the first half of the match at Elland Road this evening. This was compounded by the fact that an explanation was displayed on a big screen inside the stadium.

‘Pausing the game to allow Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan has been an agreed protocol for several years now. It’s an important and visible part of making the game welcoming for Muslim players and communities.

‘But as tonight’s reaction shows, football still has a long way to go in terms of education and acceptance.’

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Abusive parents will be placed on a register like sex offenders are under proposed changes.

The Child Cruelty Register would see parents and caregivers who physically harm children closely monitored by police and face similar restrictions to registered sex offenders.

It would be introduced through an amendment to the Police and Crime Bill and follows extensive campaigning by Paula Hudgell.

Her adoptive son Tony had to have his legs amputated after he was badly abused and neglected by his birth parents.

‘To be able to sort of get this over the line has been quite a challenge,’ she said reacting to the news.

‘I am delighted. It feels very surreal after such a long campaign, and hopefully it will save many lives going forward.’

Tony was just 41 days old when Jody Simpson and her partner Anthony Smith left him with multiple fractures and dislocations, leading to organ failure, toxic shock, and sepsis.

They then left him untreated for 10 days, leading to his injuries becoming so bad he had to have both his legs amputated.

The ‘remorseless’ pair were each jailed for 10 years in 2018.

The amendment, which the government expects to table ‘shortly’ and is expected to come into force in November, would cover crimes including child neglect, child cruelty, abandonment, female genital mutilation (FGM), and infanticide.

Anyone on it would have to tell police if they move house, change their identity, travel abroad, or live with children again after serving their sentence.

Sentencing minister, Jake Richards, paid tribute to Mrs Hudgell for her ‘remarkable fight to ensure no child should go through the life-altering abuse that her son Tony did’.

He added: ‘Child abusers do not deserve shielding; children do. The Child Cruelty Register will ensure these offenders are visible to the police, allowing authorities to see and act when risks arise.’

Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips said: ‘We’ve listened to the Hudgells, and to the many families who feel the system hasn’t done enough to protect some of the most vulnerable people in society, and we are taking vital action.

‘Whether it be online, on the streets, in schools, or from their own caregivers – children are being kept safer under this government.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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Laura Anderson is stuck in Dubai amid the city being bombarded with Iranian missiles.

Scots Love Island star Laura Anderson has been left stranded in Dubai with her daughter after the city was bombarded with Iranian airstrikes. This comes after the US and Israel have launched a major attack on targets across Iran after Donald Trump called on the Iranian people to “take over your government”.

Iranian forces have since launched counter attacks at US military in the UAE. Bahrain said a missile attack had targeted the US Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom, witnesses heard sirens and explosions in Kuwait, home to US Army Central, and explosions were heard in Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Iraq and the United Arab Emirates have closed their air space. Emirates has also announced a suspension of all flights from Scotland to the UAE with Qatar expected to follow, with the Foreign Office urging Brits to shelter in place amid the missile strikes.

Many have been left stranded as a result, including Laura, 36, and her daughter Bonnie, who had just arrived in Dubai on Friday. The reality star posted photos of herself and the tot in Glasgow Airport on her Instagram story before sharing a video of her accommodation, writing: “Welcome to Dubai”.

However, within a matter of hours, Laura posted the words, “Horrendous situation, Bonnie and I are fine”, alongside a white heart emoji.

Flights have been halted indefinitely at Dubai International Airport amid the bombardment, according to Dubai’s airport operator. Dubai-based airline Emirates said: “Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai.”

They continued: “We are actively monitoring the situation and engaging with relevant authorities. We apologise to customers affected by disruptions for any inconvenience caused.

“We are assisting them with rebooking, refunds, or alternative travel arrangements. The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority.”

Flydubai has also suspended operations at this time.

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The theft took place on Rae’s Gardens in Bonnyrigg between 8.45am and 3.10pm on Wednesday, February 25.

Police in Midlothian have initiated a manhunt following a break-in at a residence during daylight hours. The burglary occurred on Rae’s Gardens in Bonnyrigg between 8.45am and 3.10pm on Wednesday, February 25.

The premises was broken into, and a quantity of jewellery was taken. Residents have been urged to come forward with any information.

Anyone with dash-cam or personal footage have also been encouraged to contact police.

Detective Constable Aaron McCall said: “Enquiries are ongoing and we are urging anyone with information to contact us.

“If you were in the area between the times stated and witnessed anything suspicious, or have any information that may assist our investigation, please let us know.”, reports Edinburgh Live.

“Anyone with dash-cam or personal footage from the area on Wednesday is asked to contact us if it holds anything relevant.”

Information should be passed to Police Scotland through 101, quoting incident number 2328 of 25 February, 2026.

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about the reaction to some of his Muslim players being booed at Leeds

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola called for more respect after loud boos greeted a pause in play to allow Muslim players to break their fast for Ramadan. Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush headed to the touchline during a first-half stoppage when the sun went down and the Leeds crowd booed despite the reason for the stoppage being put up on a big screen in the stadium.

Cherki and Ait-Nouri combined to set up Antoine Semenyo for the only goal of the game later in the first half so City would end the night celebrating, but the reaction of the crowd still sent out the worst possible message at a moment when inclusion should have been welcomed. Guardiola saw the incident within the bigger picture of modern society but that did not make him any less disappointed.

“It is a modern world, right? [You see] what is happening in the world today,” he said. “Respect religion, diversity, that is the point. The Premier League says you can have one or two minutes, you can have for the [fasting] players to do it [break their fast]. It is what it is, unfortunately.

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“Of course they [the players] know it. We took on a little bit of vitamins because [Rayan] Cherki, [Rayan] Ait-Nouri did not eat today. No more than that. The question is, can they do it or not? What is the problem?’”

Daniel Farke was unable to conduct any post-match interviews after being sent off at the final whistle for complaining to the referee about the lack of time added onto the six minutes of injury time as City wore the clock down. His assistant Edmund Riemer stepped up to do media duties and was asked about the incident.

“I’m probably the guy who doesn’t hear a lot because I’m really focused on the game,” he said. “But I’ve heard about it. Obviously some of the supporters did it, so we try to learn out of it, it’s disappointing. We need to do better next time.”

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After U.S. and Israeli missiles struck Iran’s nuclear sites in June 2025, Tehran responded with a limited attack on the American airbase in Qatar.

Five years before that, a U.S. drone strike against Qasem Soleimani, head of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, was met with followed by an attack on two American bases in Iraq shortly thereafter.

Expect none of that restraint by Iran’s leaders following the latest U.S. and Israeli military operation currently playing out in the Gulf nation.

In the early hours of Feb. 28, 2026, hundreds of missiles struck multiple sites in Iran. Part of “Operation Epic Fury,” as the U.S. Department of Defense has called it, the strikes follow months of U.S. military buildup in the region.

But they also come after apparent diplomatic efforts, in the shape of a series of nuclear talks in Oman and Geneva aimed at a peaceful resolution.

Any such deal is surely now completely off the table. In scale and scope, the U.S. and Israel attack goes far beyond any previous strikes on the Gulf nation.

In response, Iran has said it will use “crushing” force. As an expert on Middle East affairs and a former senior official at the National Security Council during the first Trump administration, I believe the calculus both in Washington and more so in Tehran is very different from earlier confrontations: Iran’s leaders almost certainly see this as an existential threat given President Donald Trump’s statement and the military campaign already underway. And there appears to be no obvious off-ramp to avoid further escalation.

What we should expect now is a response from Tehran that utilizes all of its capabilities – even though they have been significantly degraded. And that should be a worry for all nations in the region and beyond.

The apparent aims of the US operation

It is important to note that we are in the early stages of this conflict – much is unknown.

As of Feb. 28, it is unclear who has been killed among Iran’s leadership and to what extent Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities have been degraded. The fact that ballistic missiles have been launched at regional states that host U.S. military bases suggests that, at a minimum, Iran’s military capabilities have not been entirely wiped out.

Iran fired over 600 missiles against Israel last June during their 12-day war, but media reporting and Iranian statements over the past month suggested that Iran managed to replenish some of its missile inventory, which it is now using.

Clearly Washington is intent on crippling Iran’s ballistic program, as it is that capability that allows Iran to threaten the region most directly.

A sticking point in the negotiations in Geneva and Oman was U.S. officials’ insistence that both Iran’s ballistic missiles and its funneling of support to proxy groups in the region be on the table, along with the longstanding condition that Tehran ends all uranium enrichment. Tehran has long resisted attempts to have limits on its ballistic missiles as part of any negotiated nuclear deal given their importance in Iran’s national security doctrine.

This explains why some U.S. and Israeli strikes appear to be aimed at taking out Iran’s ballistic and cruise missile launch sites and production facilities and storage locations for such weapons.

With no nuclear weapon, Iran’s ballistic missiles have been the country’s go-to method for responding to any threat. And so far in the current conflict, they have been used on nations including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.

‘It will be yours to take’

But the Trump administration appears to have expanded its aims beyond removing Iran’s nuclear and non-nuclear military threat. The latest strikes have gone after leadership, too.

Among the locations of the first U.S.-Israeli strikes was a Tehran compound in which the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in known to reside, and Israel’s prime minister has confirmed that the 86-year-old leader was a target of the operation.

While the status of the supreme leader and other key members of Iran’s leadership remains unknown as of this writing, it is clear that the U.S. administration hopes that regime change will follow Operation Epic Fury. “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take,” Trump told Iranians via a video message recorded during the early hours of the attack.

Regime change carries risks for Trump

Signaling a regime change operation may encourage Iranians unhappy with decades of repressive rule and economic woes to continue where they left off in January – when hundreds of thousands took to the street to protest.

But it carries risks for the U.S. and its interests. Iran’s leaders will no longer feel constrained, as they did after the Soleimani assassination and the June 2025 conflict. On those occasions, Iran responded in a way that was not even proportionate to its losses – limited strikes on American military bases in the region.

Now the gloves are off, and each side will be trying to land a knockout blow. But what does that constitute? The U.S. administration appears to be set on regime change. Iran’s leadership will be looking for something that goes beyond its previous retaliatory strikes – and that likely means American deaths. That eventuality has been anticipated by Trump, who warned that there might be American casualties.

So why is Trump willing to risk that now? It is clear to me that despite talk of progress in the rounds of diplomatic talks, Trump has lost his patience with the process.

On Feb. 26, after the latest round of talks in Geneva, we didn’t hear much from the U.S. side. Trump’s calculus may have been that Iran wasn’t taking the hint – made clear by adding a second carrier strike group to the other warships and hundreds of fighter aircraft sent to the region over the past several weeks – that Tehran had no option other than agreeing to the U.S. demands.

What happens next

What we don’t know is whether the U.S. strategy is now to pause and see if an initial round of strikes has forced Iran to sue for peace – or whether the initial strikes are just a prelude to more to come.

For now, the diplomatic ship appears to have sailed. Trump seems to have no appetite for a deal now – he just wants Iran’s regime gone.

In order to do that, he has made a number of calculated gambles. First politically and legally: Trump did not go through Congress before ordering Operation Epic Fury. Unlike 23 years ago when President George W. Bush took the U.S. into Iraq, there is no war authorization giving the president cover.

Instead, White House lawyers must have assessed that Trump can carry out this operation under his Article 2 powers to act as commander in chief. Even so, the 1973 War Powers Act will mean the clock is now ticking. If the attacks are not concluded in 60 days, the administration will have to go back to Congress and say the operation is complete, or work with Congress for an authorization to use force or a formal declaration of war.

The second gamble is whether Iranians will heed his call to remove a regime that many have long wanted gone. Given the ferocity of the regime’s response to the protests in January, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of Iranians, are Iranians willing to face down Iran’s internal security forces and drive what remains of the regime from power?

Third, the U.S. administration has made a bet that the Iranian regime – even confronted with an existential threat – does not have the capability to drag the U.S. into a lengthy conflict to inflict massive casualties.

And this last point is crucial. Experts know Tehran has no nuclear bomb and only has a limited stockpile of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles.

But it can lean on unconventional capabilities. Terrorism is a real concern – either through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, which coordinates Iran’s unconventional warfare, or through its partnership with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Or actors like the Houthis in Yemen or Shia militias in Iraq may seek to conduct attacks against U.S. interests in solidarity with Iran or directed to do so by the regime.

A mass casualty event may put political pressure on Trump, but I cannot see it leading to U.S. boots on ground in Iran. The American public doesn’t have the appetite for such an eventuality, and that would necessitate Trump gaining Congressional approval, which for now has not yet materialized.

No one has a crystal ball, and it is early in an operation that will likely go on for days, if not longer. But one thing is clear: Iran’s regime is facing an existential threat. Do not expect it to show restraint.

The awards air this evening on ITV and will play host to various famous singers, both at the event and performing on stage.

For the first time, the BRIT Awards will be held at Manchester’s Co-op Live after nearly five decades in London.

While there are nine confirmed artists who are performing, more could yet appear at the event or on stage, with surprises confirmed to be coming.

Jack Whitehall says ‘many surprises’ coming at 2026 BRITs

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, earlier this week, Jack wrote: “My rehearsals for The Brits are done.

“It is insane how many surprises there are this year on top of all the amazing acts we have already announced.

“Only one more day of having to keep my gob shut!”

Among the rumours swirling are that Taylor Swift, who is up for International Artist of the Year and Best International Song with The Fate of Ophelia, may be at the event.

Showbiz correspondent Ross King spoke about the possibility of the American pop icon being at the event on an episode of ITV’s Lorraine recently.

My rehearsals for The Brits are done. It is insane how many surprises there this year on top of all the amazing acts we have already announced. Only one more day of having to keep my gob shut! 🤐 @BRITs

— Jack Whitehall (@jackwhitehall) February 26, 2026

He said: “The word is that she is in the country already, she’s here with her big entourage, they’re already heading up to Manchester, where the Brits will be for the first time.”

Host Jack Whitehall also discussed the possibility of Taylor Swift being at the show on Capital Breakfast with Jordan North, Chris Stark and Sian Welby earlier this week.

He said: “Yeah, look, I’m not going to confirm if Taylor Swift is going to be there.

“That’s good journalism, I’m not falling into that trap.

“But yeah, chasing your own adventure and every scenario you can, but the reason why people love the BRITs is it is chaos and you cannot plan for everything and stuff does happen.”

Who is performing at the 2026 BRIT Awards?

The full list of this year’s confirmed BRIT Awards live performances is:

• Harry Styles
• Olivia Dean
• Wolf Alice
• EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI (HUNTR/X)
• Alex Warren
• Mark Ronson
• ROSALÍA
• sombr
• RAYE

Harry Styles will open the show in what are just weeks before he plays at the same arena for his ‘One Night Only’ show.

Another surprise that could happen is Sam Fender joining Olivia Dean on stage to perform their popular song Rein Me In.

Dean and Fender are among the most nominated for the event, with the former up for five awards and the latter up for four.

Three awards have already been confirmed before this year’s event, with Oasis’ Noel Gallagher named Songwriter of the Year, PinkPantheress winning Producer of the Year, and Mark Ronson winning the award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.

You can see the full list of nominations on the BRIT Awards website .

What time are the BRIT Awards on TV?

The 2026 BRIT Awards take place this evening, Saturday, February 28.

The event will be broadcast live from 8.15pm on ITV1 and ITVX, and is expected to finish at about 10.50pm

Who are you rooting for to win a BRIT award tonight? Let us know in the comments.

The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust aim to purchase the Rothbury Estate, a 15-square-mile tract of former grouse moor, woodland, farmland, streams, and rivers, with plans to boost wildlife, restore bogs, and champion nature-friendly farming.

The historic estate is the largest area of land to be put on sale in England in decades, and sits in the heart of what nature experts said could be a 40-mile ‘wild’ corridor of protected landscapes, nature reserves and wildlife-focused estates stretching from the coast to Kielder and the Scottish border.

Simonside, Rothbury (Image: Duncan Hutt)

Northumberland Wildlife Trust chief executive Mike Pratt has described the purchase as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ to make a meaningful impact for nature on a large scale through habitat restoration and protection, rewilding, increased access to the countryside, and sustainable food production.

Sir David Attenborough has also lent his support to the public appeal, which had raised more than £10 million towards its £30 million target as of early 2026.

Plans prompted fresh debate after a new Fieldsports Britain video questioned whether the land needs ‘saving’ at all.

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The film, titled “Rothbury rewilding scandal?”, examined proposals by The Wildlife Trusts to manage the estate in what they describe as a national flagship for nature recovery.

Supporters claimed the vision could see enhanced peatland restoration, improved water management, carbon sequestration and long-term biodiversity gains across the Simonside Hills and surrounding uplands.

Critics, however, argued the estate already supports significant wildlife under its current and recent management, and warn that large-scale rewilding or predator reintroductions could damage existing species, particularly ground-nesting birds.

The debate comes at a time when large-scale landscape recovery projects are expanding across the UK, often attracting both strong public support and strong opposition.

The Fieldsports Britain video explored both sides of the debate and asked what the future of Rothbury should look like and who should decide.

Among those who raised concerns in the video was countryside writer Ian Coghill, who argued that conservation efforts should focus on ‘bottom up’ ecology, including plants, invertebrates and habitat management, rather than high-profile species reintroductions.

Caudhole Moss, Simonside in the estate (Image: Duncan Hutt)

He questioned the long-term funding model for the estate and called for full baseline data on existing wildlife to be published before major changes are made.

“The most important people are the ones that live and work there,” he said in the programme, referring to tenant farmers and local communities.

The Wildlife Trusts have responded, outlining their approach and commitment to scientific monitoring.

In a statement, they said: “In October 2024, The Wildlife Trusts – in partnership with Northumberland Wildlife Trust – purchased part of The Rothbury Estate, which includes the much-loved Simonside Hills.

“Surveys and monitoring of the upland area that we’ve acquired are being undertaken to work out the best form of management to benefit wildlife, peatlands, water management and sequester carbon.

“As well as baseline surveys on every aspect of species and habitats, archaeology and geology surveys are also being undertaken, forming the basis of a long-term data bank used to inform all aspects of site management.

“This is added to by the close involvement of those who know, manage and farm the estate already, or who have in the past, as well as evaluation of existing data. We are also working closely with Newcastle University Centre for Landscape to ensure the very highest level of data collection and most up to date technology and techniques are applied across all disciplines into the future.

“We see this scientific survey and monitoring as a key facet of Rothbury being seen as a national exemplar of farming and nature recovery. We also intend to involve local communities in citizen science data gathering. The evaluation of impact of all we aim to achieve is central to our approach.

“Whilst fundraising for the purchase of the remainder of the estate, we have been speaking to the local community and are keen to work closely with tenants, including farm tenants, to develop a long-term strategy for the estate. This long-term strategy will aim to create a place where people and nature can thrive side by side.”