Iranian state media have confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in Israeli-US airstrikes targeting Iran, following earlier reports of his death from various sources. The attacks, which began early Saturday, also reportedly claimed the lives of other senior Iranian officials.
A 40-day national mourning period has been announced in Iran to honor the longtime leader. Khamenei, who had led the country for decades, has been a central figure in Iran’s domestic and foreign policies, making his death a significant turning point for the nation.
Earlier on Sunday, US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to claim responsibility for the strikes, stating that Khamenei “was unable to avoid our intelligence and highly sophisticated tracking systems” and emphasizing coordination with Israel. He described the incident as an opportunity for the Iranian people to reclaim their country.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had also suggested that there were “growing signs” of Khamenei’s death, intensifying international attention on the crisis. While Iranian authorities have long planned for scenarios involving the Supreme Leader’s potential death during conflicts, the confirmation now raises fears of broader escalation across the region.
The assassination injects fresh uncertainty into an already volatile situation, with analysts warning that tensions could escalate further between the US, Israel, and Iran. Global leaders are expected to closely monitor the unfolding developments, as the region braces for possible consequences.
