Iranian state television and official news agencies announced early Sunday that Khamenei, aged 86, died during what they described as a “cowardly attack” on his office in Tehran, where he was reportedly carrying out his official duties when missile and air strikes struck the complex. The government also declared a 40-day period of national mourning and a week of public holidays.
The joint U.S.–Israeli operation, which began late Saturday, involved an unprecedented wave of strikes across multiple Iranian provinces. Prior to Tehran’s confirmation, President Donald Trump had announced on social media that Khamenei was killed in the coordinated effort of U.S. and Israeli forces aimed at dismantling Iran’s military infrastructure and nuclear capabilities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said military intelligence indicated the destruction of Khamenei’s compound and the deaths of key Iranian officials, including commanders of the Revolutionary Guard and figures linked to Iran’s security apparatus.
The explosion and bombardment triggered immediate retaliation by Tehran’s armed forces, which launched missile and drone strikes against Israeli territory and U.S. positions in the region. Reports from Iranian and regional sources indicated that civilian casualties were significant in parts of Iran, with school buildings among the damaged structures, though independent verification remains limited.
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The confirmation of Khamenei’s death marks a historic development in Middle Eastern geopolitics. As Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, he wielded ultimate control over the country’s government, military, judiciary and foreign policy for more than 36 years. His passing creates a constitutional and political vacuum, with no immediate successor announced.
Leaders around the world have responded with concern. Some called for restraint to prevent further escalation, while others warned that the situation could destabilize an already volatile region. The conflict has also disrupted international air travel and raised concerns over global oil supply routes transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
As events continue to unfold, Iran’s internal response and the nation’s broader strategic posture are expected to shape the next chapter of one of the most consequential conflicts in recent history.
