- BREAKING: Israeli-American strikes kill Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei, family members
TEHRAN — Iranian state television confirmed early this morning the death of the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86.
The report did not explicitly state whether the man who had ruled Iran with an iron fist since 1989 was killed by the massive, preemptive Israeli-American strikes that targeted his compound early yesterday. However, the timing of the announcement follows a wave of precision bombings described by officials as “Operation Lion’s Roar.”
Secondary reports indicate that the casualties within the compound were extensive: Khamenei’s daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law were reportedly among those killed in the military strikes.
“The Supreme Leader of Iran has reached martyrdom,” state broadcaster IRIB reported this morning in a sombre bulletin.
“This great scholar and mujahid (fighter) sacrificed his life to lift Iran… he is now in the grand presence of the martyrs above,” added Mehr, a state-affiliated news outlet. In response to the loss, Iran has declared 40 days of national mourning.
Trump confirms terminal strike
U.S. President Donald Trump asserted yesterday that Khamenei had been neutralized in the airstrikes, though confirmation from within Tehran was delayed. Initially, Iranian officials claimed the strikes had targeted a girls’ school, resulting in scores of civilian casualties.
President Trump took to Truth Social to announce the development, stating: “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in history, is dead.”
“This is not only justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those from many countries throughout the world who have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS,” Trump posted.
The President added that the Iranian leader was “unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems,” and characterized the moment as the “greatest chance” for Iranians to “take back their country.”
Calls for defection and continued pressure
The White House has indicated that the strike may be causing a collapse in the regime’s internal support.
“We are hearing that many of the IRGC, military, and other security and police forces no longer want to fight and are looking for immunity from us,” Trump said. “As I said last night: ‘Now they can have immunity; later they only get death!’ Hopefully, the IRGC and police will peacefully merge with the Iranian patriots and work together as a unit to bring back the country to the greatness it deserves.”
Despite the death of the Supreme Leader, the U.S. President—who previously vowed to “obliterate” the Iranian navy—warned that military operations are not yet over.
“The heavy and pinpoint bombing will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or as long as necessary to achieve our objective of peace throughout the Middle East and, indeed, the world!”
Situation on the ground
Reports from news agencies suggest that cheers were heard in parts of Iran as news of Khamenei’s death spread, even in regions where the regime had attempted to sever all outside communication.
While the situation remains fluid and “hazy,” early intelligence suggests several other top military officials were eliminated in the initial wave of strikes. This follows a day of high tension in which Iran fired missiles at Israel and American bases in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
