Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Killed in US–Israel Strikes, Iran Declares National Mourning

Tehran: Iran’s state media and government have confirmed that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s Supreme Leader, has died following coordinated airstrikes by Israeli and U.S. forces on targets in Tehran and other regions, marking a dramatic escalation in the Middle East conflict.

According to Iranian state outlets, the government has declared a 40-day period of national mourning and announced seven days of public holidays. Officials said Khamenei, who was 86 and had led the Islamic Republic since 1989, was killed in the early hours of Saturday during the strikes, though details of the exact circumstances have not been fully released.

U.S. President Donald Trump publicly stated on social media and in interviews that Khamenei had been killed in a joint military operation with Israel, describing the strike as targeting senior Iranian leadership and alleging it presented an opportunity for change in Iran. Israeli leaders also said there were signs the strike had killed the supreme leader, noting heavy damage to his compound.

Various Iranian media and international reports suggest that several members of Khamenei’s family, including his daughter, son-in-law and grandchild, were also killed in the strikes, along with other senior Iranian security officials. The operation, described by U.S. and Israeli officials as part of a broader campaign against Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure, has triggered further retaliatory responses.

In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has vowed severe retaliation. Reports indicate Iranian forces have launched missile and drone attacks against U.S. and Israeli interests in the region, including bases in Gulf states, increasing the risk of a wider conflict.

While Iranian state media has confirmed Khamenei’s death, some official sources had initially denied the reports or cautioned that the situation was still being assessed. Independent verification beyond Iranian state announcements remains challenging amid the ongoing hostilities. Global leaders have urged restraint to prevent further escalation.