Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US officials said there are "many signs" that Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, may have been killed in joint Israel Defense Forces and US strikes on Iran's leadership and military targets on Saturday. Netanyahu's remarks stopped short of a full confirmation, and Tehran has not independently verified Khamenei's death, leading to conflicting reports from different sources, Hindustan Times reported.
A senior Israeli military official has told Reuters that Iran's supreme leader has been found dead and his body has been recovered.
The strikes hit multiple sites, including areas around the supreme leader's compound in Tehran, which Israeli officials say was destroyed in the operation. Netanyahu said senior commanders and figures in Iran's nuclear program were also targeted and eliminated in the attacks.
Also Read | After Israel, now US official claims Iran Supreme Leader Khamenei killed in missile strikes
Conflicting claims on Khamenei's status
Israeli media sources reported growing indications that Khamenei may be dead and that his body was found under rubble from the strike. However, Iranian officials, including Abbas Araghchi, said that Khamenei was still alive "as far as I know." Tehran has not provided clear verification of his condition, Reuters reported.
Iran dismisses claims
The head of public relations at Iran's Supreme Leader's office has dismissed Israeli claims that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, describing them as part of an ongoing "mental warfare" campaign against Iran. Speaking on Saturday, the official accused Iran's adversaries of spreading misinformation to create confusion and undermine public morale during the current conflict.
According to Iranian state media, the statement rejected reports circulated by Israeli sources suggesting that Khamenei had died in recent strikes. Iranian authorities have not confirmed any harm to the Supreme Leader, insisting that such claims are psychological tactics aimed at destabilising the country amid escalating military tensions with Israel and the United States.
Also Read | Security alert in Bahrain: US Embassy says high-rise buildings not safe after drone strikes
Potential implications of Khamenei's death
Khamenei, 86, had been Iran's Supreme Leader since 1989 and held ultimate authority over the country’s political, military, and religious institutions. Under his leadership, Iran expanded its regional influence and supported allied groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, while maintaining a confrontational stance toward the United States and its allies. A confirmed death would mark a major turning point in Iranian politics and the Middle East conflict.
As of now, independent verification from reliable sources is not available, and developments are unfolding rapidly.
Israel claims deaths of high-ranking Iranian officials
Israeli military spokesperson Effie Defrin said several high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in the latest wave of strikes on Iran. He made the remarks during a televised address on Saturday, outlining details of the ongoing operation.
According to Defrin, Israeli warplanes targeted multiple locations across Iran. He said missile launcher sites were among the primary targets of the attacks. The claims could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate response from Iranian authorities.
