Inside Iran’s war losses: Leaders, bases and billions destroyed

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in a coordinated airstrike in Tehran on February 28, 2026, marking one of the most dramatic leadership losses in modern Middle East history. Satellite imagery later showed heavy damage to his compound after multiple bombs hit the site during a targeted decapitation strike aimed at Iran’s top leadership.  

Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces and one of the country’s highest-ranking military officers, was reportedly killed during the same wave of US-Israeli strikes in Tehran. Mousavi had previously served as Iran’s army commander and played a key role in coordinating operations between the regular army and the Revolutionary Guard.  

The opening strikes reportedly killed dozens of senior Iranian military officials, including commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and key defense planners. Analysts say this unprecedented “decapitation strike” severely disrupted Iran’s command chain, forcing the country to rebuild its leadership structure while still under attack.  

Early estimates suggested hundreds of people were killed in Iran during the first phase of strikes, including civilians and military personnel. Independent monitors reported hundreds of fatalities as bombardments targeted military facilities, command centers and infrastructure across multiple provinces.  

Military analysts say Israeli and allied strikes destroyed a large portion of Iran’s missile infrastructure. Reports suggest around 80% of missile launchers were destroyed, dramatically weakening Iran’s ability to launch large-scale retaliatory attacks and limiting its strategic deterrence capabilities.  

Several strategic military facilities across Iran were reportedly hit in the campaign. These included command centers of the Revolutionary Guards and Basij units, key operational hubs used to coordinate regional operations and proxy networks.  

Energy infrastructure has also suffered. Missile strikes reportedly damaged fuel depots near Tehran and parts of Iran’s South Pars gas field, a critical energy asset responsible for a large share of the country’s gas production.  

The conflict has triggered severe economic strain. Iran’s oil exports reportedly plunged to around 102,000 barrels per day during the crisis, less than half of previous levels, hitting one of the country’s most important sources of revenue.  

The war has even affected historic landmarks. Shockwaves from nearby airstrikes damaged UNESCO-listed sites such as Golestan Palace in Tehran and Chehel Sotoun Palace in Isfahan, raising global concern about the cultural toll of the conflict.