Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been killed in a massive joint military operation conducted by the United States and Israel, according to multiple Israeli officials, U.S. President Donald Trump, and corroborating reports from international media.The strikes, part of what U.S. officials described as a “major combat operation” targeting Iran’s missile capabilities, leadership compounds, and military infrastructure, hit Khamenei’s fortified residence in Tehran early Saturday. Satellite imagery released by sources showed extensive damage and black smoke rising from the site, with Israeli intelligence confirming that Khamenei’s body was recovered from the rubble.
President Donald Trump confirmed the development in public statements, declaring, “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei.” Trump added that “heavy and pinpoint bombing will continue throughout the week or as long as necessary,” framing the action as an opportunity for the Iranian people to “take back their country.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated there were “growing signs” and “many signs” that Khamenei was “no longer with us,” while senior Israeli officials told outlets including Reuters, CNN, and the Associated Press that the supreme leader had been assassinated in the strikes. Reports indicated the operation also eliminated or targeted other high-ranking figures in Iran’s leadership and Revolutionary Guards.Iran has not officially confirmed Khamenei’s death.
State-affiliated media outlets like Tasnim and Mehr described the supreme leader as “steadfast and firm in commanding the field,” and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that, “as far as I know,” Khamenei remains alive, along with other senior officials. However, the scale of the attacks and conflicting claims have fueled uncertainty amid ongoing retaliatory missile launches from Iran toward Israel and U.S. bases in the region.Khamenei, who assumed the role of Supreme Leader in 1989 following the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, was 86 years old and had ruled Iran for over 36 years. His tenure was marked by consolidating the Islamic Republic’s theocratic system, expanding regional influence through proxies, suppressing domestic dissent, and confronting the U.S. and Israel.His reported death creates a significant power vacuum in Iran. Under the constitution, an interim leadership council would assume temporary authority while the Assembly of Experts selects a successor—potentially from hardline clerical or military figures, including speculation around his son Mojtaba Khamenei or other insiders.The strikes have escalated tensions dramatically, with explosions reported in Tehran and retaliatory actions raising fears of a broader regional conflict. Global reactions remain divided, with some viewing it as a decisive blow against the regime, while others warn of unpredictable consequences.The situation continues to develop rapidly, with ongoing military activity and no independent verification yet of Khamenei’s fate from neutral sources.