Iranian state media on Sunday confirmed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has died following coordinated airstrikes on Tehran reportedly carried out by the United States and Israel.
Authorities announced a 40-day national mourning period for the 86-year-old cleric, who had ruled the Islamic Republic since 1989.
The confirmation came after earlier statements from U.S. and Israeli officials claiming Khamenei was killed during the strikes, which began early Saturday. Initial reports from Iranian outlets Tasnim News Agency and Mehr News Agencyhad indicated the Supreme Leader remained “steadfast and firm in commanding the field,” but state media later confirmed he died at his office in Tehran.
U.S. President Donald Trump earlier announced the development on his Truth Social account, stating that advanced intelligence and tracking systems enabled the operation. He described the moment as an opportunity for the Iranian people to reclaim their country and urged the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and police to cooperate with what he called “Iranian patriots.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said there were “growing signs” confirming Khamenei’s death. Earlier, Reuters, citing a senior Israeli official, reported that his body had been located.
Khamenei’s death is widely expected to reshape the trajectory of the escalating confrontation involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Although Iranian authorities had reportedly prepared contingency plans in the event of his assassination during wartime, analysts warn the development introduces fresh uncertainty into an already volatile regional crisis.
Khamenei assumed Iran’s highest office in 1989, succeeding Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the 1979 Islamic Revolution that overthrew the Shah.