Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was assassinated in large-scale US–Israeli strikes, Iranian state media confirmed on Sunday, marking a major escalation in the region.
According to official reports, Khamenei was killed during coordinated attacks launched Saturday by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets. A senior Israeli official told Reuters that his body was recovered after a strike on his compound. US President Donald Trump said Washington worked closely with Israel in targeting Iran’s leadership.
Iranian state media reported that Khamenei had been at his office carrying out official duties when the strike occurred in the early hours of Saturday. Authorities declared 40 days of national mourning and seven days of public holidays.
In a statement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed his death and vowed severe retaliation. The Guards warned that a more intensive offensive against Israel and US military bases would follow.
Tehran described the strikes as unprovoked and illegal, responding with missile attacks on Israel and US-linked targets in several countries hosting American bases.
President Trump defended the operation as necessary to eliminate what he called a long-standing nuclear threat posed by Iran. In a post on Truth Social, he said US intelligence closely monitored Khamenei’s movements and indicated that further strikes would continue as required.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strike destroyed Khamenei’s compound. Reports also indicated that several senior Iranian military and Revolutionary Guard officials were killed, though full confirmation from Tehran remained pending.
The escalation followed stalled nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran, with US officials accusing Iran of refusing to halt uranium enrichment. Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program serves peaceful purposes.
At an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council, Russia and China criticized the strikes, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire.
Khamenei, who had led Iran since 1989, was one of the longest-serving leaders in the Middle East. His assassination represents a watershed moment with far-reaching implications for regional and global stability.