Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Killed in Joint US-Israeli Strikes on Tehran

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in joint US and Israeli strikes on Tehran on Saturday morning, according to confirmation from Iranian state-run media. The announcement followed earlier statements from US President Donald Trump and Israeli officials indicating that the 86-year-old leader had died in the operation.

State television in Iran declared 40 days of public mourning and announced a seven-day public holiday in response to Khamenei’s death, marking the end of more than three decades under his leadership.

President Trump said Saturday evening that Khamenei was dead, describing him in sharply critical terms in a post on Truth Social. In separate interviews with US networks, Trump said reports of the Iranian leader’s death appeared accurate and suggested that significant figures within Iran’s leadership had also been eliminated. When asked who might assume control in Tehran, he responded that he did not know, adding with a note of sarcasm that Iranian officials might eventually seek his opinion.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier in a televised address that there were multiple indications the Supreme Leader had been killed after a strike destroyed his compound in central Tehran. According to Israeli Channel 12, a photograph of Khamenei’s body was shown to Netanyahu after it was recovered from the rubble. A senior Israeli official also shared confirmation of his death with international media outlets prior to the formal announcement by Tehran.

The strikes reportedly targeted locations across the Iranian capital. One of the first attacks struck near Khamenei’s offices. His whereabouts had been unclear in the days leading up to the operation, as he had not appeared publicly.

Alongside Khamenei, several senior Iranian officials were reported killed. Iran’s Islamic Republic News Agency said that Seyed Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces; Mohammad Bagheri, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC); Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Defense Council; and Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh died during a Defense Council meeting.

The Israeli military stated that seven senior Iranian officials were killed, including the head of the IRGC, General Mohammad Pakpour. Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin identified several of the deceased in a televised statement, displaying photographs of some of the individuals.

In parts of Tehran, witnesses reported hearing cheers late Saturday night following circulating reports of Khamenei’s death. Residents were seen applauding from windows and playing music in what appeared to be spontaneous gatherings. These accounts could not be independently verified.

The escalation quickly spread beyond Iran’s borders. Tehran launched a missile barrage in response, prompting air raid warnings in multiple cities across the Middle East. Drones struck civilian targets in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates on Saturday evening, according to regional reports.

Khamenei had served as Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, succeeding Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. Before assuming the country’s highest religious and political office, he played a prominent role in the 1979 revolution that overthrew Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

As Supreme Leader, Khamenei held ultimate authority over Iran’s political, military and religious institutions. The IRGC, a powerful military force subject to extensive US and European Union sanctions, reported directly to him. During his tenure, Iran faced repeated waves of domestic unrest, with crackdowns on anti-government protests occurring at various points.

In recent remarks prior to the strikes, Khamenei had said Iran was prepared to retaliate against any American attack.

With the country now entering a period of official mourning and much of its senior leadership reportedly eliminated, questions remain about the immediate succession process and the stability of Iran’s governing structure. Tehran has not yet announced details regarding the transfer of authority.