Iran Confirms Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Killed in Attacks

Iranian state media has confirmed that the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in coordinated US and Israeli attacks carried out on Saturday.

According to official Iranian reports, Ayatollah Khamenei was martyred in strikes targeting his office. The announcement marked a dramatic escalation in regional tensions following the naval and aerial assaults launched against Iran.

Seven Days of Mourning Announced Nationwide

State media further reported that a seven-day nationwide holiday has been declared, along with a 40-day period of national mourning in honor of the late Supreme Leader. Ayatollah Khamenei had served as Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, assuming the position after the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Iranian state outlets also confirmed that members of Khamenei’s family were among those killed in the attacks. His daughter and grandson were reported martyred in the strikes. Additionally, his son-in-law and daughter-in-law were also killed, according to the official account.

Family Members Also Reported Among the Dead

Prior to Iran’s confirmation, Israeli media had reported that the Iranian Supreme Leader was inside an underground bunker along with associates when the compound was struck. Reports claimed that approximately 30 bombs were dropped on Khamenei’s compound and that dozens of individuals were killed in the assault.

Israeli outlets further alleged that an image of Khamenei’s body had been shown to the US president following the operation. British media, citing Israeli officials, had also reported that Khamenei’s body had been recovered from the site of the attack.

Regional Tensions Escalate After Coordinated Strikes

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a video message that there were indications suggesting the Iranian Supreme Leader was no longer alive. He also claimed that commanders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were killed in the strikes, along with senior nuclear officials.

Netanyahu said the compound of the Supreme Leader had been destroyed and indicated that thousands of additional targets could be struck in the coming days. He emphasized that operations against Iran would continue for as long as deemed necessary.

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The strikes, conducted by the United States and Israel, reportedly resulted in significant casualties. According to news agency figures, 201 Iranian civilians were killed and 747 injured in the naval and aerial bombardment carried out a day earlier.

201 Iranian civilians were killed and 747 injured

In addition to the Supreme Leader’s death, Iranian officials confirmed that Defense Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Mohammad Pakpour, were also killed in the attacks.

The developments represent one of the most consequential moments in Iran’s recent history, following the reported loss of its highest-ranking political and religious authority along with senior military leadership.