Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Killed in U.S.-Israel Strikes

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in U.S.-Israel strikes, Iranian state media confirmed on Sunday, triggering national mourning and renewed military exchanges across the region.

Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that Khamenei was “martyred” following attacks it described as “U.S.-Israeli terrorist attacks” on Saturday morning. Iranian state news agencies echoed the confirmation and referred to him as a martyr.

In a statement released early Sunday, Iran’s Cabinet of Ministers declared 40 days of national mourning and seven days of public holiday. “This major crime will not remain unanswered and those behind it will be made to regret their move,” the administration said, while offering condolences to the Iranian nation and the wider Muslim community. Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law and grandson are also believed to have been killed in the attacks.

The confirmation came hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump announced Khamenei’s killing, stating he had a “good idea” of who he wanted to replace the supreme leader and that U.S. attacks would continue for as long as necessary.

Under Iran’s constitution, the death of the supreme leader initiates a transition process in which the president, the head of the judiciary and a cleric from the Guardian Council form a temporary leadership council until a successor is appointed.

As the announcement spread, Israel’s military said it launched another wave of strikes across western and central Iran. In a statement, it said dozens of Air Force fighter jets targeted ballistic missile arrays and air defence systems, striking more than 30 sites. Israel said operations would continue against missile infrastructure, military headquarters and other “regime targets.”

Iranian authorities said their armed forces responded by launching missile and drone strikes on Israeli-occupied territories and American bases in the region.