BREAKING: 🇮🇷 Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei confirmed dead, Senior Israeli officials say.
- Iranian state media and government sources are now reporting that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, has died at age 86 following a major joint U.S.–Israeli military operation. Iranian authorities have declared a 40-day national mourning period and a 7-day public holiday in connection with his death.
- This confirmation comes after earlier reports from senior Israeli officials and U.S. sources that Khamenei was killed in strikes targeting Iranian leadership including his compound in Tehran — and that his body was recovered.
🇮🇷 What Happened
- A joint U.S.–Israeli air campaign reportedly struck Tehran and other parts of Iran on February 28, 2026, targeting Iran’s top leadership and military infrastructure.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were many signs that Khamenei was no longer alive after his compound was destroyed.
- U.S. President Donald Trump publicly stated that Khamenei was killed in the operation.
🧑⚖️ Next Steps & Political Impact
- Iran’s Supreme Leader is the most powerful figure in the Islamic Republic’s political and military structure — a death leaves a significant power vacuum.
- Under Iran’s constitution, the Assembly of Experts is responsible for selecting the next Supreme Leader. A transition process would now begin amid intense internal and regional pressures.
- This news comes in the context of widespread unrest in Iran, long-standing tensions with the U.S. and Israel, and major military escalation that has sparked global concern about broader conflict.
📍 Important Context
- Khamenei had led Iran since 1989 following the death of Ayatollah Khomeini and was one of the longest-serving authoritarian leaders in the world.
- Reports of his death circulated quickly after the strikes, and Iranian official confirmation only arrived after initial uncertainty.