Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed following a joint US-Israeli air strike on his official residence in Tehran, state broadcaster IRIB confirmed on Sunday.
The state media report emphasized that the 86-year-old cleric died “at his place of work” within the leadership compound. The announcement aimed to dispel rumors that Khamenei had been moved to a “safe and secret location” prior to the attack, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday.
“The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran reached martyrdom at his office,” IRIB reported. The broadcaster added that at the time of the “cowardly attack,” the leader was performing his official duties. Iranian officials described his presence at the compound as proof that he stood “fearless and brave at the front line of responsibility.”
Khamenei had served as the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader since 1989, succeeding the state’s founder, Ayatollah Khomeini. As the Rahbar, he held ultimate authority over all state matters, the military, the judiciary, and Iran’s nuclear programme.
The strike comes amid a period of intense regional escalation and follows a massive US and Israeli military build-up. US President Donald Trump, who confirmed the death in a social media post prior to the Iranian announcement, called the development the “greatest chance” for the Iranian people to reclaim their country.
Reports from various news agencies indicate that several members of Khamenei’s family, including a daughter and grandchild, were also killed in the bombardment. The Iranian government has declared 40 days of national mourning and a seven-day public holiday.
Under Iranian law, a temporary leadership council consisting of the president, the head of the judiciary, and a member of the Guardian Council will manage state affairs until the Assembly of Experts selects a successor.
