Khamenei reported dead after US–Israeli strikes as Iran denies but offers no proof he is alive

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been reported killed in a wave of coordinated US–Israeli airstrikes that hit multiple Iranian cities early Saturday, according to confirmations carried by Iran International and senior Israeli officials quoted by Reuters. 

Khamenei, 86, was reportedly inside or near his Tehran leadership compound when the site was reduced to rubble in one of the most extensive bombardments Iran has faced in decades. Satellite imagery published by international media showed the Beit‑e Rahbari compound destroyed, while Iranian state outlets have not produced any evidence that the Supreme Leader survived. 

Israeli officials told Reuters they had recovered Khamenei’s body from the ruins of the compound. Israeli TV networks, cited by AFP, reported that photographic evidence of the body was shared with US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu publicly said there were “many signs” confirming Khamenei’s death. 

US President Donald Trump told NBC that Washington was “certain” Khamenei had been killed in the initial strike. Fox News quoted a US official saying up to 10 senior Iranian leaders were also killed. 

Iran International and Reuters reported that several top Iranian security figures died in the same wave of strikes, including:

• Ali Shamkhani, senior adviser to Khamenei  

• Mohammad Pakpour, IRGC commander  

• Mohammad Shirazi, head of Khamenei’s military office since 1989  

• Aziz Nasirzadeh, Iran’s defence minister  

• Hossein Jabal Amelian and Reza Mozaffari‑Nia, senior SPND officials involved in advanced weapons programs  

These officials were described by Israel as central architects of Iran’s regional military strategy. 

In retaliation, Iran fired missiles toward Israel and across the Gulf, with Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar reporting interceptions. One person was killed in Abu Dhabi. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy warned ships to avoid the Strait of Hormuz as explosions were reported in Tehran, Tabriz, Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah and other cities. 

Iran closed its airspace for six hours as the country’s leadership vowed a “crushing response.” Top security official Ali Larijani said Iran would deliver an “unforgettable lesson” to the US and Israel. 

The Pentagon has designated the campaign Operation Epic Fury, while Israel is calling its offensive Lion’s Roar and has mobilised thousands of reservists. Trump said the US had begun “major combat operations” and warned Iran that further attempts to rebuild military capacity would trigger additional strikes. 

Despite near‑total internet shutdowns, videos shared via circumvention tools showed mixed scenes of jubilation, fear and uncertainty. Witnesses told AFP that some Tehran neighbourhoods erupted in cheers as news of Khamenei’s death spread. 

Iran’s foreign minister told NBC that Khamenei was “alive as far as I know,” but provided no evidence. State media has not released any footage or statements from the Supreme Leader more than 12 hours after the strikes, a stark contrast to his rapid public appearances during previous crises.