Unverified reports claimed that the son-in-law and daughter-in-law of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei were killed in recent strikes. The claims surfaced as Israel and the United States stepped up attacks on Iranian targets, Hindustan Times reported.
The reports were first carried by the Young Journalists Club, which cited a member of the Tehran City Council. The information was later shared on Telegram channels and circulated on X by independent reporters and outlets. "Khamenei's son-in-law and daughter-in-law were killed in today’s strikes - Maysam Mozafar, a member of Tehran city council, said," an investigative reporter remarked, sharing a screenshot of a Telegram communication.
The Faytuks Network also reported: "Tehran City Council member Meysam Mozaffar says the son-in-law and daughter of Iran’s Supreme Leader were killed." The claims could not be independently verified.
Who are Khamenei's family members?
Khamenei has three sons and two daughters. All of them are married. The social media reports did not specify which son-in-law and daughter-in-law were allegedly killed.
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His sons include Mostafa Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei, Masoud Khamenei and Meysam Khamenei. Among them, Mojtaba Khamenei is married to Zahra Haddad-Adel, daughter of Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, a former Iranian parliament speaker. Khamenei's daughters are Bushra and Hoda. Bushra is married to Mohammad-Javad Mohammadi Golpayegani, while Hoda is married to Mesbah al-Hoda Bagheri Kani.
There was no official confirmation from Iranian authorities about any deaths in the family.
What is happening in Iran?
The reports came amid an escalating conflict. US President Donald Trump said there is a massive operation underway to destroy Iran's military capabilities and remove the threat of it making a nuclear weapon, as per Hindustan Times.
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Iran's Foreign Ministry said it would defend the country. Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) responded to US and Israeli strikes by firing drones and missiles at Israel and at US military sites in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar.
According to the Associated Press, over 80 people were reportedly killed. Reports also said Khamenei's compound was among the early targets in the ongoing conflict.