Iran has declared 40 days of national mourning following the reported death of its Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, who was said to have been killed in coordinated airstrikes allegedly carried out by the United States and Israel.
Iranian state media confirmed that Khamenei died alongside his daughter and grandchild during the strikes. In an emotional nationwide broadcast, state television announced his passing and urged citizens to observe a 40-day mourning period in line with Islamic tradition.
U.S. President Donald Trump described the operation as a success in a post on Truth Social, calling Khamenei “one of the most evil people in history” and stating that the strike delivered justice for both Americans and the Iranian people.
According to U.S. officials, the operation targeted a fortified bunker located within the Supreme Leader’s palace compound in Tehran. Satellite images circulating online appear to show significant structural damage at the site. Iranian sources reported that Khamenei’s body was recovered from the rubble after precision strikes that reportedly began around 9 a.m. local time.
In addition to Khamenei and members of his family, Iranian media claimed that several top military figures were killed in the assault. Among those reported dead are Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guard commander Mohammad Pakpour. Some unverified reports suggest that as many as 40 senior defence officials may have lost their lives.
Earlier in the day, Iranian authorities had dismissed initial reports of Khamenei’s death as “psychological warfare” orchestrated by foreign adversaries. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi initially insisted the Supreme Leader was alive but later failed to appear for a scheduled televised address, fueling further speculation before the official confirmation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Iranians to “take to the streets en masse,” describing the development as a “historic opportunity” for regime change.
President Trump also warned that “heavy and pinpoint bombing will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or as long as necessary,” signaling the possibility of sustained military action.
Meanwhile, retaliatory Iranian drone and missile strikes have reportedly targeted U.S. military bases across the Middle East, heightening concerns of a broader regional conflict with potentially far-reaching global implications.
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