STORY: News outlets across Asia and Australia on Sunday (March 1) reported on the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the U.S. and Israeli attacks that threaten to destabilize the wider Middle East.

Hours after both nations said an air strike killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the most ambitious series of attacks on Iran in decades, the country's state media confirmed the 86-year-old leader's death on Saturday (February 28).

As news of Ayatollah Khamenei's death circulated, broadcasters across Asia and Australia reported on the escalating crisis.

In Sydney, ABC News highlighted the announcement of his death by both the U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian state media, underscoring the intensifying conflict in the Middle East.

Similarly, China's CCTV provided updates on Iran's retaliation against the strikes, including missile attacks on U.S. military bases, while issuing safety warnings for Chinese citizens in Iran.

Broadcasters from Bangkok to Jakarta emphasized the uncertainty surrounding Iran's future leadership and the impact of the strikes on regional stability.

With Iran declaring a 40-day mourning period, the global community is bracing for heightened tensions and responses that could reshape alliances across the region.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: BANGKOK, THAILAND (MARCH 1, 2026) (TPBS - No use Thailand)

1. NEWS BULLETIN STING FROM THAI PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE (TPBS)

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) TPBS NEWS ANCHOR, SAYING:

“Good morning. You are watching ‘News Update’ at 6 a.m. (2300GMT). Israel says the Iranian Supreme Leader has died during an attack carried out in cooperation with the United States. The U.S. President has also confirmed the news.”

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (MARCH 1, 2026) (KOMPAS TV - No use Indonesia)

3. KOMPAS TV BUMPER ROLLING

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) KOMPAS TV NEWSCASTER BREMANA BREMANA TENAYA SAYING:

"You're watching Kompas TV Breaking News with me, Bremana Tenaya. Ladies and gentlemen, Iranian national television has confirmed the death of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini, on Sunday morning March 1. In the broadcast, it was not immediately stated what caused Ayatollah Ali Khameini's death."

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (MARCH 1, 2026) (AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION - Broadcast: No use Australia. Digital: No use Australia / .com.au internet sites / any internet site of any Australia based media organisations or mobile platforms / Australian NVO clients / smh.com.au / news.com.au)

5. NEWS BULLETIN STING

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ABC NEWS NEWSREADER, MIRIAM COROWA, SAYING:

"Hello and welcome to ABC News, I'm Miriam Corowa. War in the Middle East has engulfed Iran, Israel and countries across the region, culminating in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Mr Trump initially made the announcement on social media, followed by confirmation from Iran's state media."

BEIJING, CHINA (MARCH 1, 2026) (CCTV - No use China)

7. NEWS BULLETIN STING

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CCTV NEWS ANCHOR, PAN TAO, SAYING:

"On February 28, the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran. Iran retaliated against Israel and fired missiles at multiple U.S. military bases across the Middle East."

CCTV NEWS ANCHOR, WEN JING, SAYING:

"Iran's state television reported on the 1st that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed, and that the Iranian government had announced a 40-day period of national mourning."

9. NEWS BULLETIN STING

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CCTV NEWS ANCHOR, WEN JING, SAYING:

"China's Foreign Ministry and its diplomatic missions in Iran today issued a security warning, stating that the United States and Israel conducted military strikes against Iran on February 28. Chinese nationals in Iran are advised to closely follow the evolving situation, enhance safety measures, and leave for safe areas as soon as possible by appropriate means."

CCTV NEWS ANCHOR, PAN TAO, SAYING:

"We will continue to monitor the latest developments in the situation."