Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: Death, Succession and Oslo Embassy Incident

The recent death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei, and subsequent events have triggered international attention, including an incident at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway. This article details the timeline of events, the transition of power in Iran, and the investigation into the Oslo incident.

Death of Ayatollah Khamenei and Succession

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who served as the second Supreme Leader of Iran from 1989 until his death, passed away on February 28, 2026 [1]. He previously held the position of President of Iran from 1981 to 1989. Following his death, his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was elected as the modern Supreme Leader [1].

Oslo Embassy Incident

An explosion occurred near the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway, around 1:00 a.m. Local time. Norwegian authorities are investigating the incident, but currently believe it is not related to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East [3]. The explosion caused minor damage, breaking glass on the embassy entrance door, and was determined to be caused by an improvised explosive device [3].

Google Maps Incident

Shortly before the explosion, a 15-second video featuring Ayatollah Khamenei was uploaded to the U.S. Embassy’s Google Maps page, accompanied by a message in Persian stating “God is great. We are winning” [3]. The video has since been deleted. Norwegian police are investigating a potential connection between the video and the explosion, considering it as one of the clues in their investigation [3].

Ongoing Investigation

Police have released surveillance camera footage of a suspect, but their identity remains unconfirmed [3]. The Joint Investigation and Intelligence Center is leading the investigation [3].

Khamenei’s Legacy

Ayatollah Khamenei’s tenure as Supreme Leader was marked by a long-standing confrontation with the United States, which he characterized as stemming from conflicting interests rather than temporary disputes [1]. He defended the 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran as a moment of national pride [1].