The United States Secretary of State has decided to call off his planned visit to Israel in the wake of the death of Iran’s Ayatollah, resulting from U.S.-led airstrikes.
Joint airstrikes executed by the United States and Israel led to the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader on Saturday morning, as confirmed by former President Donald Trump. This action has sparked destabilizing missile retaliations across various nations within the Arab world.
Marco Rubio, who was initially expected to travel to Israel on March 2, has now canceled his trip.
Dylan Johnson, the Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs, announced on X: “In light of recent events, Secretary Rubio will no longer proceed with his planned visit to Israel on March 2.”
The trip’s announcement came just a day earlier and was intended for Rubio to engage in discussions on key regional matters, including Iran, Lebanon, and the advancement of President Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan for Gaza, as outlined by State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott.
Rubio was present in Trump’s situation room during the early hours of Saturday, just before the strikes targeted a building close to the Ayatollah’s offices in Tehran, Iran.
The president launched ‘Operation Epic Fury’ that resulted in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The US operation was done in conjunction with the Israeli military.
One photo taken from situation room shows CIA Director John Ratcliffe briefing the president while Marco Rubio and Susie Wiles listen in.
Marco Rubio , who was scheduled to arrive in Israel on March 2, has canceled his visit
President Donald Trump, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles are seen monitoring activity related to ‘Operation Epic Fury’
Another image shows Vice President JD Vance at a separation situation room alongside top Trump officials, including National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General John Daniel ‘Raizin’ Caine was also seen in another image briefing the president in the Florida situation room.
Trump confirmed Khamenei’s death in a post on Truth Social, saying this is the ‘single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country’.
He also said some people in Iran are looking for immunity.
‘We are hearing that many of their IRGC (Revolutionary Guards), Military, and other Security and Police forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us,’ said Trump.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that airstrikes in Iran had destroyed the Supreme Leader’s compound, and added that ‘all indications show this tyrant is no longer with us’.
Multiple counties in the Middle East have faced bombing today following the ordeal in Tehran – including tourist hotspot Dubai in the UAE.
Dubai International Airport was evacuated late on Saturday after ‘an incident’ amid reports that it was hit by an Iranian suicide drone.
Dramatic footage showed passengers at Dubai’s primary international airport fleeing one of its terminals, with airport officials confirming four members of staff have been injured.
Videos posted on social media also show smoke filling the terminal at the airport, which is one of the busiest in the world.
Other images show parts of the airport deserted after passengers were forced to evacuate the terminal, which has been left damaged by the incident.
‘Dubai Airports confirms that a concourse at Dubai International (DXB) sustained minor damage in an incident, which was quickly contained,’ a statement read.
‘Emergency response teams were immediately deployed and are managing the situation in coordination with the relevant authorities.
‘Four staff sustained injuries and received prompt medical attention.
‘Due to contingency plans already in place, most of the terminals were previously cleared of passengers. Further updates will be provided as they become available.’
