Overview

On 1 MARCH 2026, Israel and the United States continued Operations “Roaring Lion” and “Epic Fury,” large-scale, jointly coordinated military campaign against Iran. According to Israeli and American sources, the operation focused primarily on regime-related targets in Tehran, alongside extensive strikes on Iranian military infrastructure across the country.

Beginning in the early morning hours, Israel and the U.S. significantly expanded their strikes across Iran, with Tehran as the central focus. Reported targets included: regime symbols and government facilities, military installations, including among others, headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Tehran, key communication centers, including Iranian state television.  Expanding the theater of operation, reports indicated that the United States carried out strikes against Iranian-linked targets in Iraq.

At the same time, Iran continued to launch waves of missile and drone attacks against Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Iranian statements appear to frame the attacks as a retaliation for U.S. and Israeli strikes and what Tehran described as Western support for those operations. These strikes also extended for the first time toward Western territory when an Iranian drone struck Cyprus, marking the first attack on European soil, further widening the geographic scope of hostilities.

In the evening hours, in retaliation for the death of Khamenei, Hezbollah launched a missile and drone attack on Israel. The group framed the attack as a legitimate defensive response to ongoing “Israeli strikes, assassinations, and the occupation of Lebanese territory,” warning that continued “Israeli aggression” would be met with further responses. Through these actions and statements, Hezbollah formally entered the war, further expanding the conflict.

In the cyber arena, pro-Iranian hacker groups continued to attack Israel, the U.S., the Gulf states, and Jordan. The Handala Hacker Group, is the most prominent example, with the group claiming responsibility for a cyberattack that allegedly shut down gas stations across Jordan. In a public statement, the group stated the attack was carried out in response to what it described as the “betrayal” of Jordanian rulers through cooperation with Israel and the United States. According to the claim, vehicles across Jordan were temporarily unable to refuel. The group warned that further attacks would follow if such cooperation continued and issued threats against additional countries, including Saudi Arabia.

“Axis of Resistance” Statements in Response to the Death of Khamenei[1]

On 1 MARCH 2026 an official confirmation issued in Tehran announced the killing of Ali Khamenei, stating: “The martyrdom of the Leader of the Revolution and the Islamic Republic, Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei (may Allah’s blessings be upon him), has been announced.” This announcement triggered a wave of reactions across Iran and throughout the “Axis of Resistance.”

In Iran, an official statement by the Supreme National Security Council of Iran declared that the killing of Ali Khamenei “will serve as the catalyst for a great uprising against the tyrants of the world,” underscoring the regime’s effort to frame his death as a rallying point for resistance and ideological mobilization. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared Ali Khamenei a “martyr” whose death symbolizes victory and continuity, vowing that his path and legacy will endure and strengthen national and religious resolve. The IRGC held the United States and Israel responsible for the death, and threatened decisive retaliation, calling for unity, mobilization, and continued resistance against all enemies. The Iranian Armed Forces issued a formal statement portraying Khamenei as a revolutionary leader and a symbol of faith, courage, and steadfast resistance. The killing was described as a “heinous crime” committed by Iran’s enemies, with assurances that his path and legacy would continue and that the act would not go unanswered.

Official statement regarding the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Military Media of Hezbollah: official Telegram Channel, 01 MAR 2026)

Concurrently, authorities sought to project an image of widespread public mourning and popular support, claiming that citizens had taken to the streets in grief and solidarity following the death of the Supreme Leader. However, this messaging unfolded in an environment where internet access was largely shut down, and information flows were tightly controlled by regime-affiliated channels. Given these limitations, it is not possible to independently verify public sentiment.

Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, mourned Khamenei’s “martyrdom,” framed the “assassination” as part of a broader American–Israeli campaign against Iran and the Axis of Resistance, and vowed continued jihad, resistance, and support for Palestine and Jerusalem. Hamas issued a statement, condemning what it termed “Zionist–American aggression,” highlighting Khamenei’s longstanding support for the Palestinian cause, and asserting that the attack would ultimately strengthen rather than weaken the resolve of the resistance. The Ezzeddine Al-Qassam Brigades mourned the martyrdom of Ali Khamenei and several senior Iranian military leaders, portraying them as central supporters of the Axis of Resistance and key enablers of Palestinian armed achievements, including the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation in October 2023.

The statement accused Israel and the United States of responsibility and framed the deaths as a catalyst for continued jihad, asserting that the sacrifices will strengthen the resistance and hasten the downfall of Israel and its American ally. The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine mourned the “martyrdom” of Ali Khamenei and other Iranian leaders, portraying them as steadfast defenders of the Islamic nation and the Palestinian cause, particularly the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The movement condemned the U.S.–Israeli strike as a “war crime” and expressed confidence that Iran would retaliate, defeat hostile plans, and emerge stronger, framing the killings as a prelude to eventual victory. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) issued a condolence statement mourning Ali Khamenei and condemning what it termed a “Zionist–imperialist assassination,” describing his killing as a loss for global resistance forces opposing U.S. hegemony and Israel. The group portrayed Khamenei as a revolutionary supporter of liberation movements, especially the Palestinian cause, and argued that assassinations only deepen resistance and popular mobilization.

Official statement regarding the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Military Media of Hezbollah, official Telegram Channel)

The commander of Ansar Allah (the Houthis), Sayyed Abdulmalik al-Houthi, accused the United States and Israel of targeting Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to undermine Iran’s leadership, morale, and regional influence. Like others, he suggested that while the attack aimed to weaken Iran’s institutions and pressure regional governments into submission, it would instead strengthen the broader resistance. The Shiite Al-Nujaba militia in Iraq claims that the killing of Ali Khamenei does not allow for restraint but rather heralds the start of a religious war and demands retaliatory action and revenge against the US.

Official statement regarding the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (official Telegram Channels of Al-Nujaba militia , 01 MAR 2026)

Collectively, these responses reflect a coordinated narrative effort emphasizing martyrdom, continuity, and inevitable victory, while signaling intent to pursue retaliation.

Implications

It appears that Iran and the Axis of Resistance have deliberately framed Khamenei’s death within a narrative of sacrifice, continuity, and inevitable victory, accompanied by explicit threats against the United States and Israel. Rather than portraying the event as a strategic setback, they present it as a unifying and mobilizing moment for the axis. The similarity in language and structure across official statements also suggests some level of coordinated messaging and convergence of arenas remains a central strategic objective. Notably, much of the discourse shifts away from the damage inflicted on the Iranian regime and toward an ideological and moral framing of the conflict, indicating that preserving regime legitimacy and sustaining the resistance project are the primary goals.

The shutdown of internet access and reliance on regime-controlled channels have enabled the promotion of a unidirectional narrative centered on mourning and unity, while minimizing visible signs of doubt, criticism, or confusion within Iranian society. By presenting the killing of Khamenei as a “starting point,” the leadership appears to be cultivating public expectation for revenge, while granting religious and moral legitimacy to continued violent action across multiple arenas.

In general, recent developments, including rising tensions with Gulf states and the expansion of the maritime arena, increase risks to energy security and global trade routes. Internationally, the confrontation may deepen polarization and complicate diplomatic containment efforts.

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[1] Statements were taken from the official Telegram channels of the entities mentioned below.