Soon after US President Donald Trump and Israeli officials claimed that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed, a cryptic message appeared on the Iranian Supreme Leader’s official X account, fuelling speculation that the 86-year-old may have survived the reported US-Israeli strikes in Tehran. The post, written in Persian, read, "In the name of Nami Haider (peace be upon him)."
به Ùام Ùامی Øیدر ØلیهŒØ§Ù„سلام pic.twitter.com/n848j6KASq
— KHAMENEI.IR | Ùارسی (@Khamenei_fa) February 28, 2026
Iranian state media confirms death of Khamenei
Early on Sunday morning, Iranian state media reported the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (86). Iranian state television announced his death but did not provide details on the cause.
The death occurred after a joint US and Israeli aerial bombardment that targeted Iranian military and governmental sites. The presenter read a statement from Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) confirming Khamenei's death and blaming the US and Israel. The statement said that Khamenei's "martyrdom" will mark the start of "an uprising in the fight against the oppressors", BBC reported.
Also Read | Iran state media says Khamenei is dead, 'country to enter 40 days of mourning'
In a tearful address, a state TV presenter announced Khamenei's death. They said the country will enter 40 days of mourning, BBC stated in its report.
Iranian state television reported that Khamenei was at his compound in downtown Tehran when the initial attack started. Satellite photos from Airbus showed the site heavily bombed.
His death at his office "showed that he consistently stood among the people and at the forefront of his responsibilities, confronting what officials call global arrogance", state TV said, reported AP.
What did Donald Trump claim?
Earlier, in a post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamen is dead following joint US-Israel strikes on Iranian targets.
He wrote, "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 people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS."
"He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us," he added.
Also Read | 'Khamenei...is dead': Donald Trump claims Iran supreme leader killed in US-Israel strikes
About Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Born in the northeastern city of Mashhad in 1939, Ali Khamenei was the son of a religious scholar. He joined the religious opposition movement of Ayatollah Khomeini in 1962.
After the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Khamenei became the deputy defense minister and helped organise the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC).
When Khomeini died in June 1989, the Assembly of Experts, a council of clerics, chose Khamenei as the new supreme leader. They changed the Constitution to allow him to take charge, even though he had not reached the required rank among Shia clerics.
Since then, Khamenei has kept a tight hold on Iran's politics and its armed forces. He has suppressed challenges to the ruling system, sometimes using violence.
