Iran confirms death of Supreme Leader Khamenei

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, Iranian state media confirmed on Sunday.

US President Donald Trump announced on social media hours earlier that Khamenei had been killed in US–Israeli attacks on Tehran, a claim later confirmed by Iranian state television.

The broadcaster said he died on Saturday morning at his residence. Shortly beforehand, Iranian media had reported that four members of his immediate family were also killed in the strikes.

Iran declared 40 days of mourning following the announcement of the death of its supreme spiritual leader.

Israel and the US timed the assault on Saturday to coincide with a meeting between Khamenei and his senior advisers, The Times of Israel reported earlier.

Israeli officials said he was killed alongside senior figures including Ali Shamkhani, a former secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, and Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

CBS News reported that around 40 senior Iranian officials were killed in the operation.

After reports of his death, images emerged showing residents celebrating in the capital, Tehran.

(reuters, im)