Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has reportedly been killed following Israeli airstrikes carried out as part of a large-scale joint military operation involving the United States and Israel.
According to reports, the strikes took place on Saturday, February 28, and were described by U.S. and Israeli officials as “pre-emptive” actions aimed at preventing Iran from advancing its nuclear weapons programme.
An Israeli ambassador to Washington reportedly informed U.S. officials that Khamenei had died in the operation. CNN, citing Israeli sources, also reported that an official confirmed to Axios that Khamenei’s body was recovered from his heavily damaged compound in Tehran.
Initial strikes appeared to target areas surrounding the offices of the Supreme Leader. It was not immediately clear whether the 86-year-old cleric was inside the compound at the time of the attack. His reported death was said to have been confirmed several hours after the strikes began.
The operation has significantly escalated tensions in the region. Iran reportedly responded with missile attacks targeting Israel and other locations across the Middle East.
Khamenei had served as Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, succeeding Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Over more than three decades, he held ultimate authority over Iran’s political, military and religious institutions, shaping the direction of the Islamic Republic following the 1979 revolution.
As of the time of reporting, Iranian state media had not officially confirmed his death. The situation remains fluid, with developments continuing to unfold.