Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the long-time Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has reportedly been killed in a major joint United States and Israeli military offensive, senior officials from both countries announced Saturday night.
In a social media statement, U.S. President Donald Trump declared Khamenei “one of the most evil people in history” and confirmed his death, saying the strikes aimed at Iranian leadership and strategic sites marked a decisive moment in ongoing tensions with Tehran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said there were “many signs” that Khamenei was dead following precision bombardments on his compound in Tehran, though he stopped short of providing detailed confirmation.
The 86-year-old cleric had ruled Iran since 1989, wielding ultimate authority over the country’s political, military, and religious institutions. Under his leadership, Iran became a central player in Middle Eastern geopolitics, backing allied militias and confronting Western influence.
Iranian authorities, however, have not confirmed the reports of Khamenei’s death. State media and senior officials insist the Supreme Leader remains “steadfast and in command,” and there has been no official Tehran release verifying the U.S. and Israeli assertions.
The reported killing, if confirmed, would create a profound power vacuum in Iran’s theocratic system and risks further escalating conflict across the Middle East as retaliation and diplomatic fallout continue to unfold.