Israeli attack kills ex‑president Ahmadinejad amid escalating conflict

Iran’s former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been killed in an Israeli strike carried out amid escalating hostilities between Israel, the United States and Iran, according to international media reports. 

Ahmadinejad, 69, was reportedly killed when Israel launched its first wave of attacks on Iran following days of rising tensions. The strike also targeted Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was confirmed dead earlier in the assault. 

Reports indicate that Ahmadinejad was travelling with his security team when the attack occurred. Some outlets have suggested he was en route to inspect damage from earlier strikes, though details remain unclear. 

The former president was a central figure in Iran’s political establishment and a vocal critic of Israel. His death comes as Iran continues to launch retaliatory attacks on U.S. military bases in the Middle East, while Israel expands its operations across the region. 

The situation has triggered widespread instability, with several Middle Eastern countries temporarily closing their airspace and global airlines suspending routes through the region.