Iranian state television on Sunday confirmed the death of the country’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in an early morning broadcast that featured archival footage and a black banner signifying national mourning.
The announcement was made at about 5:00 a.m. local time (0130 GMT). The state broadcaster did not mention reports of a large-scale US and Israeli strike on his residence, which had circulated hours earlier.
Khamenei, who was 86, had led the Islamic Republic since 1989 following the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. As Supreme Leader, he wielded ultimate authority over Iran’s political, military and religious institutions for more than three decades.
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had announced that Khamenei was killed in air strikes, though Iranian authorities had not immediately verified the claim at the time.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump described the Iranian leader as “one of the most evil people in History” and declared him dead.
The US president framed the reported killing as justice for Iranians and for citizens of other countries whom he accused Khamenei of targeting through regional proxies and militant networks.
Trump said Khamenei had been “unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems,” suggesting the operation was the outcome of precise surveillance and coordinated strikes.
Warning to Iranian Forces
In the same statement, Trump said Khamenei’s death created what he termed an opportunity for Iranians to reclaim their country. He also claimed that elements of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other security forces were reconsidering their loyalty.
“We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces no longer want to fight and are looking for Immunity from us,” Trump wrote.
He warned that continued resistance would bring further military action, adding that “heavy and pinpoint bombing” would persist as long as necessary to secure US objectives in the region.
Family Members Reportedly Killed
Iranian media outlets also reported that several members of Khamenei’s family - including his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter - were killed in the same strike. Those reports have not been independently confirmed.
Khamenei’s death marks a watershed moment for Iran’s political system. Under the country’s constitution, the Assembly of Experts is tasked with appointing a successor to the Supreme Leader. However, analysts say the powerful IRGC is expected to exert significant influence over the transition process.
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