Once the house of Ali Khamenei, now a symbol of Iranians' memory

Iranian former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of the US-Israeli operation on February 28. At the time of the strike, satellite images showed the destruction of the compound, but the precise location was unknown. India Today's sister website Aaj Tak reached the very compound where the Iranian leader was present at the time of his killing to get exclusive shots of the site.

The area remains under strict surveillance, with access for journalists highly restricted. Aaj Tak's reporter was able to get close-up shots of the buildings that portray how the strikes left massive collateral damage.

The sprawling compound that once housed Khamenei has now turned into a ramshackle building behind several layers of security. The white, damaged buildings serve as stark reminders to the Iranians of the strike that claimed the life of their former Supreme Leader.

The property had served as both Khamenei's residence and his office, where he lived and worked with his family. Today, much of the site bears visible signs of destruction.

The area has been completely cordoned off by authorities, with public access strictly prohibited. According to local accounts, the February 28 strike was far more extensive than a single targeted attack. Multiple rounds of aerial strikes by the US-Israeli joint operation not only hit Khamenei's residence but also caused extensive collateral damage to several surrounding buildings within the compound.

Visuals from the site show mourners gathering near the entrance gate to pay their respects. Men, women and children have been offering prayers, with many seen overcome with emotions as they remember their late leader.

The compound offers a glimpse into the aftermath of one of the most consequential attacks in Iran's modern history.

Khamenei along with multiple members of his family, including his daughter and granddaughter, were killed in the strikes. Last week, the tiny coffin of the late Supreme Leader's 14-month-old granddaughter, Zahra Mohammadi Golpayegani, became a global spectacle.

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