Sunday newspaper round-up: Iran, Reform UK, Ukraine
By Iain Gilbert
Date: Sunday 01 Mar 2026
(Sharecast News) - Iranian state media confirmed that supreme leader Ali Khamenei has been killed, following US‑Israeli strikes that marked the opening phase of a campaign aimed at regime change. Khamenei had not been seen since the bombardment began, with satellite imagery indicating heavy damage to his secure compound in Saturday's initial barrage.
Confirmation of his death came early on Sunday, hours after US president Donald Trump announced the ayatollah's killing on social media. Khamenei had ruled Iran since 1989.
The conflict widened rapidly across the region, with Iran striking Dubai's Fairmont hotel, according to the Guardian, setting the building alight after a missile hit the Palm Jumeirah property, injuring four people. Dubai authorities later said debris from an intercepted drone caused a fire at the Burj Al Arab and at Dubai International Airport. Abu Dhabi Airports reported an incident at Zayed International Airport that resulted in one fatality and seven injuries, before deleting the statement.
Donald Trump warned that the US would respond "with a force that has never been seen before" if Iran retaliates following Khamenei's death. In a social media post, Trump said Iran had signalled plans to strike back "very hard".
Iranian state media confirmed Khamenei's death early on Sunday, according to the Independent, with Tasnim reporting that several members of his family were also killed.
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer backed US efforts to force regime change in Iran but faced questions over why the UK had not granted the US access to British military facilities in the region.
Starmer said the UK had played no role in the strikes but reiterated that Iran's regime was "utterly abhorrent", according to the Times, accusing the Middle Eastern nation of murdering its own citizens, crushing dissent and destabilising the region. He added that Iran must "never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon", describing that as the UK's primary objective alongside its allies. A Ministry of Defence source said no British bases were used in the operation.
Reform UK unveiled proposals for sweeping changes to the UK's electoral system, according to the Independent, including tight restrictions on postal voting and the removal of voting rights for Commonwealth citizens.
Nigel Farage said postal voting had turned UK elections into a "laughing stock" and called the participation of non‑British citizens "absurd". Under the proposals, postal votes would be limited to the elderly, disabled, serving armed forces personnel and those working overseas during an election.
The party also intends to end voting rights for Commonwealth citizens resident in the UK. A Reform UK spokesperson said the changes would not affect Irish citizens, who retain the right to vote in parliamentary elections.
Russia has indicated it would accept proposals for Ukraine's postwar security guarantees, said the Times, citing President Zelensky's chief of staff.
Kyrylo Budanov told Ukrainian television that, during recent talks, Russia said it would accept the security guarantees offered to Ukraine by the United States. The Kremlin has not confirmed the position, but the development could mark the most significant progress in ceasefire discussions since the full‑scale invasion began four years ago.
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