Israeli media outlets and unnamed officials claim Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, 86, has been killed during joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran.
According to the reports:
- Khamenei’s compound in Tehran was heavily damaged in missile strikes.
- Israeli sources said senior officials were informed he had been “eliminated” and that his body was recovered from the rubble.
- Two Israeli television networks reportedly said an image of Khamenei’s body had been shown to US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
There has been no official confirmation from Iranian authorities. Iran’s foreign ministry earlier stated that Khamenei was “safe and sound.”
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has reportedly been killed in joint US-Israel strikes on Iran
Credit: EPA
The Ayatollah’s compound in Tehran was badly damaged during the blitz
Credit: Airbus
Iran’s defence minister Amir Nasirzadeh, centre, was wiped out, sources claim
Credit: AFP
Other Reported Casualties
Sources cited in the reports also claim:
- Iran’s defence minister Amir Nasirzadeh may have been killed.
- Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammad Pakpour may have been killed.
- Unconfirmed rumours suggest possible harm to President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the country may have lost “a few commanders” but downplayed the impact.
Escalation Across the Region
The strikes followed stalled nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Trump described the operation as aimed at eliminating “imminent threats” and preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Iranians to “take to the streets en masse” and “get the job done”
Credit: GPO/UNPIXS
Brigadier general Mohammad Pakpour has reportedly been killed
Credit: AFP
In response, Iran launched missile barrages targeting:
- US bases in Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
- Sites across Israel, where air defence systems intercepted incoming missiles.
Explosions were reported near Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and near the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.
Smoke rises after an explosion in Tehran this morning
Credit: AFP
Current Status
- Iran has not confirmed Khamenei’s death.
- Israeli officials claim significant damage to senior regime figures.
- The situation remains fluid, with continued military activity and retaliatory strikes reported across the region.
